E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSBusinessman Ron Bramlage, his wife, and their four children were killed when the small plane he was flying home from the Bahamas crashed near Lake Wales, Fla. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.
A father, mother and their four children died when a small plane crashed in a remote rural area of Florida Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the Pilatus PC-12/47 aircraft went down in the Tiger Creek Swamp near Lake Wales around 12:30 p.m. The area is southeast of Lakeland in central Florida.
The victims were listed as the aircraft's pilot, Ronald Bramlage, 45, Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and their four children. Officials have located the bodies of three of the children and were still searching for the fourth, the Sheriff's Office said in a statement..
The aircraft was owned by Roadside Ventures LLC of Junction City, Kan. Ronald Bramlage was the owner of Roadside Ventures, authorities said.
The plane took off from the Treasure Cay airport in the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas and made a stop at the St. Lucie County International Airport in Fort Pierce, Fla., to clear customs. The plane then took off for Junction City at 12:05 p.m. with two adults and four children on board, authorities said.
Officials said the plane began to break apart over southeast Polk County and crashed.
The crash area is in a remote area and the Polk County Sheriff's Office used helicopters to fly in law enforcement and medical personnel.
Parts of the aircraft were found as far as two miles away from the crash site. Officials say that the parts separated before the crash and that the plane was traveling at 26,000 feet when it began experiencing trouble.
The victims were listed as the aircraft's pilot, Ronald Bramlage, 45, Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and their four children. Officials have located the bodies of three of the children and are still searching for the fourth.
The cause of the crash has not been determined.
The plane had been owned by Casey Anthony's former attorney, Todd Macoluso, and is the same one that was used the night she was released from jail after her trial, the The Palm Beach Post reported. Macoluso may have sold the plane earlier this year, the Post said.
Ronald Bramlage was the grandson of Fred Bramlage, the namesake of the Bramlage Coliseum at Kansas State University, NBC station KSNW of Wichita, Kan., reported. Rebecca Bramlage was president of the Junction City Board of Education. Both were graduates of Kansas State.
University President Dr. Kirk Schulz and Athletics Director John Currie released a statement:
"We are shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the deaths of Ron and Becky Bramlage and their children today. The Bramlage family holds a special place in the history of Kansas State University and K-State Athletics, and Ron and Becky have been loyal supporters and great fans of K-State. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bramlage family during this difficult time."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
That's a Pilatus PC12/47. Apparently there was no fire but terribly hard impact. The aircraft aft section is separated and twisted approximately 90 degrees and both wings have serious damage. It appears the power plant is still attached with the cowling ripped off. The aircraft belongs to an attorney that was associated with the Casey Anthony defense team. Sad end to four lives and a beautiful aircraft.
buff
The plane "had" been owned by Casey Anthony's former attorney.
and there were 6 lives lost. Dad, Mom, and 4 kids
Buff,
Good observation. You can read. :-)
First post was with information at the time guys.
Just messin' with you man.
something just is not adding up here you have an aircraft used to fly a anthony away to remote location...could be the air plane was comprimised to crash ... and did not crash when used for athony. planes just dont fall apart in mid air unless there stressed or something going on in the skies the sounds un exsplained trees snapping off with out storms
......what?
In spite of my difficulty understanding your grammar, I have to, at least skeptically, agree with you. Aircraft just don't break apart in mid air without aggravating circumstances. Hmmmmnnnnn.
rvg
I agree with you. Plus the local news said that the plane was only 6 years old too.
God even todays hitmen suck ass when it comes to doing their jobs.
Sounds like bad maintanance. If you have a strong stomach for this sort of thing, type in "airplane crashes" in your address bar. You'll find some of the famous, and not so famous, along with NTSB explanations. Actually very interesting stuff.
I'm not that strong evergrien. Once a day is enough for me
We did have heavy storms throughout the area where the plane crashed. But he was at 26,000 feet? Who knows, how old is this aircraft and has it had good maintenance?
It's called "metal fatigue". Like bending a wire back and forth a few times until it snaps.
Planes "do" sometime fall apart in flight.
It doesn't take much at all to start a very large problem at 250mph. Once the aerodynamics have been interrupted (like maybe a small bird strike during take off "unnoticed") then the plane can shake rattle & roll at higher altitudes where the cabin is now pressurized.
Metal fatigue sets in and then,...... it's too late 5 miles in the sky.
i wonder how many times this plane was flown since it was purchased... and how many times this guy flew it.
Creek Dog: Ignore the ignorants who seemed hell bent on finding an evil explanation associated with Casey Anthony. Armchair pilots I call them. Your are correct, as my husband, who is both a fixed wing and rotary wing pilot, can attest. Aircraft do just fall apart for all the reasons you just gave and perhaps lightening, since there are more lightening strikes in Florida every year, than there are in any other state. It's possible that the pilot wasn't able to radio that they had been hit. Who knows, but those experts who will be sent to investigate will find as close an answer as possible, so I will wait to hear what they have to say.
Aircraft do not normally break apart in flight unless some sort of anomaly. Over stress, weight issues associated with storms, improper maintenance among other can be the cause. Further, please do not trust either the FAA or NTSB to reach an acceptable conclusion as they have performed miserably. Two very recent cases (Challenger 600 Tetertboro and S-61 Helicopter in Weaverville CA). The current Chairperson of the NTSB was severely criticized in both cases once by the Federal Judge who effectively indicated that the NTSB's findings were incorrect and stopped short of calling the NTSB's investigation as governmental irresponsibility. The Weaverville Helicopter accident the NTSB originally concluded that the accident was the result of engine failure. Once the NTSB invited the engine manufacture (General Electric) for unknown reasons, the cause of the accident turned away from General Electric and onto the operator and pilots. The jury did not agree. After an approximately 3-4 month trial, the jury awarded some of the victims in excess of $70 million. Once again the jury found complete irresponsibility by the NTSB and its investigators. Most of the public is not aware that the NTSB investigator and NTSB politically appointees have relatively little or no experience in aviation accident investigations nor and the particular aircraft at issue. Many have backgrounds from highway or railroad experience. The inspector in charge of the Teterboro had no pilot experience or maintenance background; he was a former air traffic controller. Concerning the cause of the accident the Chief Investigator sided with the manufacturer of the aircraft deeming the cause to be pilot error. The Federal Judge after listening to all of the evidence specifically stated that the cause was a mechanical problem, not pilot error. Unfortunately, the current NTSB is not equipped to handle the hundreds of aviation accident and numerous causes. It is a broken system when railroad inspectors are given the responsibility of determining the cause of a jumbo jet accident. More often than not, the NTSB inspectors defer to the manufacturer's basis concerning the cause notwithstanding that the manufacturer has a significant motive to shift responsibility away from the product to avoid liability. Do not expect the NTSB to determine the cause of this accident correctly, since its not competent to so.
A theory often used to explain several "mysteries' in the Bermuda Triangle. At least by the logical.
Thanks Maureen.
Have a nice weekend.
CD
Maureen if you're calling me ignorant then you sir need to learn to tell when someone is making a joke.
Anything Skanky Anthony touches is cursed.
OMG this is horrible. The plane just starts falling apart???
The Bramlages were wonderful people. They will be deeply missed by our entire community. Our town is in shock and very saddened this day. We have lost wonderful people, including four children who showed such promise. Rest in peace, Bramlages.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of this poor family. May they all RIP.
This is so bad and wrong. So sorry for this family. Maybe this is why that guy sold the plane. Attorneys are lying cheats and crooked anyway. Plus it is jinxed if Casey Anthony rode in it. Too bad it didn't crash when she was in it.
The bad thing is that they all went together, the good thing is that they all went together. RIP family.......so sad.
We had some nasty weather through here all day in Brandon which is about 50 miles west of where this happened.
My condolences to the family and friends of the Bramlages.
Amused-1992934! Brandon is where I grew up. I miss home...although it isn't like it used to be. But then, our house was still there when I visited last year. :)
It was also poor weather in Lakeland. Very rainy and cloudy..... not your typical 30 minute rain storm.
Broke up in flight? Wow. That's rare.
This was a Pro Level aircraft and, while I don't know how many hrs he had in this type, from the report I read he had trouble at fl26. Prob. not pilot error. Decomp maybe?? Maybe one of the turbos let go, will wait for NTFS report.
"One of the turbos let go"????
No turbos on this aircraft, it is powered by a single PT-6 turbine engine.
Article indicates a loss of control at cruise altitude, most likely from turbulence associated with [thunder storms] my assumption, followed by over stressing the airframe in an attempt to regain control, resulting in an in flight breakup.
NTFS???? I believe you mean NTSB.
LOL Boom. I about spit out my drink when I read "maybe one of the turbos let go." Most people who are not in the aviation business or not aviation enthusiasts probably think a "turboprop" is a regular piston engine aircraft with a turbo charger on it.
In any event, the PC-12 is a very strong and proven airframe. I logged several hundred hours in one and it would be my choice for a large cabin-class turboprop if I ever had the money. Even the USAF uses it in their Special Operations squadron. Yes, this could be a weather related in flight breakup. It happens. But at FL260 (FL250-270 is the sweet performance spot for this aircraft) and in typical summer Florida weather, surely he was checking PIREPs along his route.
It's so tragic when a family is wiped out like this. Several months ago in eastern Alabama an entire family of seven was killed. Their Cessna 421 went down in central Alabama as it was flying from St. Louis to Destin, FL (http://www.wsfa.com/story/15055763/7-confirmed-dead-in-demopolis-plane-crash). It doesn't get much sadder than this.
Several comment suggest to wait for the NTSB findings prior to rushing to judgement. Do not expect the NTSB or the FAA to come to a conclusion that will accurately determine the cause of this accident. I personally have been involved with accident investigations while employed with the FAA for over 15 years and whilein private practice for over 12 years. With all due respect to governmental investigators, the NTSB and the FAA have the best investigators $35,000 a year can buy. Additionally, I have been in aviation law and accident litigation for over 27 years. I have witnessed countless investigations where the lead investigator from the NTSB is not even competent to chose an investigative team. From Delta 191 (Wind Shear at DFW) to the latest accidents Teterboro, NJ and Weaverville, CA, the NTSB and its chairperson have appeared, at best, to be sporadically competent and otherwise display unadulterated incompetence.
It is unfortunate that anyone would suggest to wait for the Board's Report in any accident. My suggestion that you contact the local Bar and get in contact with a Board Certified Aviation Attorney who will contact competent experts to determine the cause.
Very good informative posts here AVL, thanks. It's always a privilege to read informative words from those on the nasty side of the business of aviation (and it is nasty...just ask Cessna). As someone who has flown aircraft since age 17 starting out in a 172 that Cessna stopped making for years due to lawsuits, litigation is about the furthest thing from our minds on takeoff roll.
What I don't understand is how they say there were 6 fatalities but they haven't found the 4th child's body yet. Maybe the child survived the crash and is wandering dazed or injured through the swamp. But, there is the other scenario where...never mind. Too sad to even think about it.
When flying over the everglades I carry a loaded pistol, in case the plane goes down. Not for the gators, there are too many of them - but for myself.
The plane started breaking apart at or near 26,000 ft., I believe. That's not really survivable.
How horrific.....so sorry and condolences to their families and friends.....
Actually inflight breakups are not all that rare. They have and will continue to happen! Metal fatique, maintainence and design flaws have all contributed in the past. Just an awful way for a family to go!! Wait for the NTSB report and learn from it. Prayers to the family!
wait.. was Ronald Bramlage the guy that the Bramlage Colliseum at Kansas State University is named after?
I'm a KSU grad and in fact graduated from high school and college there...
Yes as stated in the article....the one and the same.
No. Bramlage Coliseum was named after Fred Bramlage (Ronald Bramlage's grandfather). Fred Bramlage was the biggest contributor to the building of the Coliseum (which opened in 1988), so it was named after him. He has passed away since then.
Ronald's father passed away a while back as well.
My first reaction like so many others here is that a breakup in flight doesn't make sense. Possible but rare. This airframe is extremely strong and made for so much more than straight and level flight, eg; cargo, fire jumpers etc. More of a workhorse than a pretty ride.
My prayers go out to the surviving members of the extended family. When children are involved it is exceptionally hard on everyone concerned.
Again my sympathies and prayers.
Yet the lighter the plane is the slower the Va (maneuvering speed). The speed you need to slow down to when encountering turbulence. In flight break up is not uncommon as a result of thunderstorm penetration.
They were on an IFR flight plan. They had to be to fly that flight level. Therefore, they would have been in contact with enroute control center. Center knows where the thunderstorms and turbulence are with radar and doppler, and by pilot reports from that area. They re-route planes around that kind of hazard constantly.
There is such a thing as CAT (clear air turbulence), and that's harder to see and avoid. Usually the deadly kind of CAT is found at the edge (the 'coffin corner') of the jetstream, which is normally much father north and much higher, too.
So there's a mystery here as to why the plane would come apart like it apparently did.
Oh yeah like Scott Crossfield...IFR in a Cessna 210, center punched an T-cell and came down in 3 counties! IFR flight plan is NOT any protection from T-cells.
Actually it was in three locations within a quarter mile radius, indicating a low level break up. Scott was a very experienced former test pilot who unfortunately encountered extreme convective weather in a T-Storm. That very likely happened in this present case also.
http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20060501X00494&ntsbno=CHI06MA115&akey=1
Obviously we need to outlaw private plane ownership, then severely regulate company ownership so that only the government can own/fly planes.
Deen,
Is your last name Obama? Give me a break! I guess we need to take bicycles away from children to. They could get hit by a government owned car.
Condolences to this family. What a tragedy.
Archie...is your sarcasm detector broken?
Pilatus aircraft are built well. It would be extremely unusual to have one just 'break apart' in flight.
It's not outside the realm of possibility if there was a combination of severe turbulence and a pilot who exceeded maneuvering speed.
But that's unlikely.
When you're in turbulence like that, your first thought is to slow up and try to stop getting hammered so badly.
this just dosen't make sense.....something caused this plane to break up @ 26,000 had to be impact or failure!
Impact with what at FL260?
No, extreme turbulence will cause in flight breakup. Exceeding maneuvering speed is not difficult if the airplane is out of control . Airframes are built to tolerate certain "G" loads which can exceeded in storms. There has always been the trade off between strength and weight in aircraft.
As for the Aviation lawyer, he is an ambulence chaser who just tries to make a buck off someone elses misery, like a grieving family. The NTSB does a pretty good job of discovering what contributes to an accident and yes there can be mechanical failure, Acts of God (weather), and more often than not, Pilot error. Usually it is a list of items that by themselves are not critical, but put together can be fatal. If I were on the board of inquiry, I would check to find out if the cowling departed the aircraft and struck the t-tail section causing a loss of control. That would indicate that during the preflight maintenance checks, maybe the cowling was not locked properly. If the aircraft broke apart in flight then it would have to be a catastrophic failure which is very rare, or something that hit it which is more likely. Until the board finishes the investigation we won't know the truth.
+ + + + + +
May the Souls of the Faithful, Departed Rest in Peace. May God give the Strength and Courage to their families and relatives to bear this huge loss. May God Bless their souls. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
Note to self: Next time you feel like complaining about things that aren't worth complaining about, think about what the relatives of this family are having to endure tonight, and then don't complain. Period. And then go give your kids a hug. If you don't do it today, there is no guarantee you will ever get another chance tomorrow.
Deepest condolences to the relatives of the family.
its a sabotage....
It's impossible to know what caused the accident, but thunderstorms could very well be a factor, along with the pilot possibly losing control. The NTSB will find the causes, which will likely be several factors combining to result in the crash. Most crashes are not caused by a single happening. My guess is that pilot error will be a factor.
It will be interesting to see what the media says. Most writers don't even know what makes an airplane fly, much less what makes one crash.
God rest their souls
I don't know the family that died in the crash but I would have been happier if it had been Casey Anthony!
this is horrific, however the good Lord promises to re make us, to regenerate people, with new bodies, anyone who believes in the One and O nly "begotten" Son Christ the Lord and Lamb of God Messiah- will be re made when born again of Spirit - this Rest in peace (understand the expression but..) garbage is killing me, heaven is an incredible adventure of new life and live that endures, we will be getting a new body and there will be a new earth and new "heaven" etc, the Lord God Creator will not waste anything - sin caused death and as an enemy sowed weed in the wheat , yet still a root of all the good soil and the wheat crop has not fully come to fruition. Evil one day will not co exist with the wholesome goodness of HIS Creation...People need come out of the dark into the light of grace, dark is absence of light, any day is our day you never know when the sting of death or tragedy is coming but with Holy Spirit we will be risen up in Spirit with the Lord waiting for the fullness of Gods ultimate plane. The Bramlage family were hopefully all saved and in knowledge of the good news of Salvation and Gods plan. The One True God the One who takes us out of slavery who delivered the Israelite s out of Egypt and left the armies and the enemies of freedom and truth wiped out in the sea, the One who delivered us from death is the Only One who can turn any terrible circumstances into life.
Please explain to me how this god thing works. If they had decided to rent a car and drive the rest of the way home would the "good lord" have found a different way to take their lives, a head on collision with a semi truck perhaps?
The way it works is, if anything good happens, we're supposed to thank God. If something horrible happens, he obviously allowed it to happen. So, basically, God throws you a few crumbs now and then, and he doesn't seem to mind when people, especially children, are tortured and/or killed. Yes, let's all praise that kind of god.