2 Illinois State athletics officials killed in plane crash

Madeline Buckley | The Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS — A small plane that took off in Indianapolis after the NCAA championship crashed in central Illinois, killing all seven aboard the aircraft, authorities said.

The Cessna 414 crashed just after midnight on Tuesday outside of Bloomington, Ill., the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The Chicago Tribune reported the flight was departing Indianapolis after the NCAA men's basketball championship games Monday night. The Tribune cited Scott Barrows, who said his son-in-law was the owner of the plane and among those killed.

Illinois State University in Normal said two members of the athletics department were killed. Aaron Leetch was deputy director of Athletics for external operations. Torrey Ward was associate head coach of the men's basketball team.

University President Larry Dietz confirmed Tuesday Ward and Leetch were killed in the early morning crash.

"To lose a bunch of friends much too early is devastating, Redbirds coach Dan Muller said in a statement. "To all of the families and friends, my deepest condolences and my prayers are with you. To Aaron Leetch, a friend, colleague, and mentor, I will miss you so much. And to my dear friend Torrey Ward, I love you so much, I will miss you every day and I can't wait to see you again.

"On behalf of our entire program, we appreciate everyone respecting our privacy at this time to grieve, and we will all miss Aaron, Torrey and those involved. We are here for all families and friends, and we will stick together through this tragedy."

Dietz made the announcement in an email to students, faculty and staff, saying "words cannot fully express the grief that is felt."

The FAA initially reported five people were on the flight, but police said in a later update the plane carried seven people.

Emergency crews located the plane around 3:15 a.m., said Sgt. Bill Tate with McLean County Sheriff's Office.

All seven occupants of the plane were confirmed dead, Tate said.

Air traffic control in Peoria, Ill., lost contact with the plane just after midnight, Tate said. Airport officials searched the Central Illinois Regional Airport and found the plane had not landed.

Crews found the wreckage in a field outside of Bloomington.

The twin engine aircraft was registered to Make It Happen Aviation, LLC, of Towanda, Ill.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. There was no initial word on the cause of the crash. News photos from near the scene showed dense fog.

Names of the other victims have not been released by officials.

Contributing: The Associated Press.