A single engine EA300 stunt plane departed for Lewis University Airport from Lee Bird Field in North Platte, Nebraska on the morning of Thursday June 5, 2008 and was reported missing by early evening.
Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois Wings were involved in search efforts. Illinois Wing contributed 3 sorties focusing on the route between Davenport, IA and Lewis University Airport.
Palwaukee Squadron flew one of the Illinois search missions with a crew consisting of Lt. Col. Lou Wipotnik (mission pilot), Captain David Gillingham (observer) and 1st Lt. Robert Gould (mission scanner). The flight lasted about 2.5 hours and followed a line from Lockport to Bradford, IL; the effort was called off because of encroaching darkness and deteriorating weather to the West.
The wreckage of the EA300 was located shortly after 8:30 AM Friday June 6 in a farm field North of Gothenburg, NE approximately 45 miles from its departure point according to the Nebraska State Patrol. The pilot and sole occupant, a 39 year old male from Fort Collins, CO was killed in the crash.
