14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 07, 2012 in Lake Wales, FL
Aircraft: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD PC-12/47, registration: N950KA
Injuries: 6 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On June 7, 2012, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Pilatus PC-12/47, N950KA,registered to and operated by Roadside Ventures, LLC, departed controlled flight followed by subsequent in-flight breakup near Lake Wales, Florida. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the altitude and location of the departure from controlled flight and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight from St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR), Fort Pierce, Florida, to Freeman Field Airport (3JC), Junction City, Kansas. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated from FPR about 1205.
According to preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control information, after departure, air traffic control communications were transferred to Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center (Miami Center). While in contact with that facility, about 1229, the flight was cleared to flight level (FL) 250. At about 1230, the controller cleared the flight to FL260, which the pilot acknowledged. At about 1232, the controller advised the pilot of a large area of precipitation northwest of Lakeland, with moderate, heavy and extreme echoes. The controller asked the pilot to look at it and to advise what direction he needed to deviate, then suggested deviation right of course until north of the adverse weather. The pilot responded that he agreed, and the controller asked the pilot what heading from his position would keep the airplane clear, and the pilot responded 320 degrees. The controller cleared the pilot to fly heading 320 degrees, and to deviate right of course when necessary, and when able proceed direct to Seminole, which he acknowledged. There was no further recorded communication from the pilot with the Miami Center.
According to preliminary radar data, between 1232:37, and 12:33:25, the airplane proceeded in a west-northwesterly direction, and climbed from 24,700 to 25,100 feet, then maintained that altitude for the next 12 seconds; however, a change in direction to the right was noted. Between 1233:37, and 1233:49, the airplane descended from 25,100 to 24,200 feet, and turned to the right, and between 1233:49, and 1234:01, the airplane descended from 24,200 to 22,500 feet, and continued the right turn. Between 1234:01 and 1234:37, the airplane descended from 22,500 to 10,700 feet, and turned to a southerly heading. Between 1234:37, and 1234:49, the airplane turned left and proceeded on a northeasterly heading. Between 1234:49, and 1235:37 (last secondary return at 1,300 feet), the airplane continued on a northeasterly heading.
The pilot of a nearby airplane reported to FAA air traffic control and NTSB hearing a Mayday call about 1 minute before hearing the sound of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal.
A witness who was located about 1.5 nautical miles and 193 degrees from the crash site reported that on the date and time of the accident, he was inside his house and first heard a sound he attributed to a propeller feathering or later described as flutter of a flight control surface. The sound lasted 3 to 4 cycles of a whooshing high to low sound, followed by a sound he described as an energy release. He was clear the sound he heard was not an explosion, but more like mechanical fracture of parts. He ran outside, and first saw the airplane below the clouds (ceiling was estimated to be 10,000 feet). He noted by silhouette that parts of the airplane were missing, but he did not see any parts separate from the airplane during the time he saw it. At that time it was not raining at his location. He went inside his house, and got a digital camera, then ran back outside to his pool deck, and videotaped the descent. He reported the airplane was in a spin but could not recall the direction. The engine sound was consistent the whole time; there was no revving; he reported there was no forward movement. He called 911 and reported the accident.
Another witness who was located about .4 nautical mile and 125 degrees from the crash site reported hearing a boom sound that he attributed to a lawn mower which he thought odd because it had just been raining. He saw black smoke trailing the airplane which was spinning. He ran to the side of their house, and noted the airplane was still spinning. His brother came by their back door, they heard a thud, and both ran direct to the location of where they thought the airplane had crashed. When they arrived at the wreckage, they saw fire in front of the airplane which one individual attempted to extinguish by throwing sand on it, but he was unable. The other individual reported the left forward door was hard to open, but he pushed it up and then was able to open it. Both attempted to render assistance; one individual called 911 to report the accident and then guided local first responders to the accident site.
Preliminary examination of the accident site revealed the wreckage consisting of the fuselage and sections of both wings came to rest upright in an open field. Sections of both wings, and also the horizontal stabilizer and elevator were separated. The separated components consisting of sections of both wings, the horizontal stabilizer, and elevator were located, tagged as to their location, and secured with the main wreckage.
The pilot, age 45, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land, and instrument airplane ratings.
LAKE WALES - Weather may
have played a part in the plane crash east of Lake Wales earlier this
month that killed a Kansas family of six, according to a preliminary
report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
At one point, the plane's altitude dropped nearly 12,000 feet in less than a minute during the June 7 flight, reports said.
Part of the plane's final descent was caught on video, which was reviewed by investigators.
The
crash, the worst in Polk County's history, killed pilot Ronald
Bramlage, 45, his wife, Rebecca, 43, and their four children, Brandon,
15, Boston, 13, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8.
The
crash in East Polk County occurred about 12:30 p.m. near Kings Trail
and Jewell Lane in a palmetto-covered clearing in the Tiger Creek
Preserve on the southwest corner of Lake Walk-in-Water.
The
plane, a 12-seat Pilatus PC-12/47 turbo prop, left the Abaco Islands,
Bahamas, on Thursday morning. It stopped at the St. Lucie County
International Airport in Fort Pierce to clear customs and took off again
at 12:05 p.m., headed for Kansas.
Miami
air traffic controllers told Ronald Bramlage of severe weather
northwest of Lakeland. "The controller asked the pilot to look at it and
to advise what direction he needed to deviate, then suggested deviation
right of course until north of the adverse weather."
Bramlage agreed with the controller and flew in a northwesterly direction to try to take the plane around the storm.
"There was no further recorded communication from the pilot with the Miami Center," reports said.
The
reports show the plane made a significant descent, starting at about
25,000 feet about 12:33 p.m. In nearly 30 seconds, the plane's altitude
dropped from 24,200 feet to 10,700 feet and took a southern heading.
READ: Preliminary NTSB crash report (PDF)
Photo Gallery: Deadly Lake Wales plane crash
And at the end of the report, it talks about two other witnesses who
ran to the crash site, where they found the wreckage burning.
The witnesses were able to open the plane door and try to help one of
the Bramlage family members. The report didn't indicate which
member, but we believe it may have been the father. They also called 911
and helped first responders get to the scene.
Thousands gather during emotional funeral for Bramlage family
JUNCTION CITY, KS (KCTV) - A Kansas couple and their four children who died in a plane crash will be laid to rest Monday. A plane crash in Florida killed six members of the Bramlage family as they were returning from a vacation in the Bahamas to their home in Junction City, KS.
More than 2,000 people from across the region filled the auditorium at Junction City Middle School during an emotional funeral Mass for Ron and Becky Bramlage of Junction City and their four children. The family's death has many still shaking their heads in shock.
The family died when their plane crashed June 7 in Florida while they were on their way home from the Bahamas. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the crash.
Friends of the family, classmates of all four children, as well as people stretching from surrounding states gathered Monday to remember a family that has given so much to local industry and education.
Fred Marrill, of Kansas City, has done business with and knows Ron Bramlage and the family. Marrill said nobody will completely fill the void this loss leaves.
"Ron was always, he was just such a great personality, always had a great kind word to say to all kinds of different people. He had a suite next to my parents' suite in the football stadium at K-State and he was always nice to my parents and anybody that was there so really just a good person," Merrill said.
More than 2,000 people from across the region filled the auditorium at Junction City Middle School during an emotional funeral Mass for Ron and Becky Bramlage of Junction City and their four children. The family's death has many still shaking their heads in shock.
The family died when their plane crashed June 7 in Florida while they were on their way home from the Bahamas. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the crash.
Friends of the family, classmates of all four children, as well as people stretching from surrounding states gathered Monday to remember a family that has given so much to local industry and education.
Fred Marrill, of Kansas City, has done business with and knows Ron Bramlage and the family. Marrill said nobody will completely fill the void this loss leaves.
"Ron was always, he was just such a great personality, always had a great kind word to say to all kinds of different people. He had a suite next to my parents' suite in the football stadium at K-State and he was always nice to my parents and anybody that was there so really just a good person," Merrill said.
Mourners Set to Say Goodbye to Bramlage Family
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Friends and family are gathering on Monday to say goodbye to a prominent Kansas family killed in a central Florida plane crash.
Six members of the Bramlage family were killed on June 7 when their small aircraft broke-up not long after takeoff near the central Florida town of Lake Wales. The family was returning to Kansas from a family vacation to the Bahamas.
The memorial service for the Bramlages is set for 10:00 a.m. at the Junction City Middle School auditorium.
Ron and Becky Bramlage and their four children were killed in the crash. The family owned an investment company in Junction City, and Becky Bramlage was the president of the local school board.
The Bramlage family is known in Kansas known for giving scholarships and other large charitable donations, including funds for the Kansas State University basketball arena — Bramlage Coliseum.
According to investigators at the scene, the aircraft was at nearly 26,000 feet when it first began experiencing trouble, and it appears that the plane fell apart in the air. Pieces of the aircraft were found as far as two miles away from the crash site.
A final report on the crash isn’t expected for several more months.
Six members of the Bramlage family were killed on June 7 when their small aircraft broke-up not long after takeoff near the central Florida town of Lake Wales. The family was returning to Kansas from a family vacation to the Bahamas.
The memorial service for the Bramlages is set for 10:00 a.m. at the Junction City Middle School auditorium.
Ron and Becky Bramlage and their four children were killed in the crash. The family owned an investment company in Junction City, and Becky Bramlage was the president of the local school board.
The Bramlage family is known in Kansas known for giving scholarships and other large charitable donations, including funds for the Kansas State University basketball arena — Bramlage Coliseum.
According to investigators at the scene, the aircraft was at nearly 26,000 feet when it first began experiencing trouble, and it appears that the plane fell apart in the air. Pieces of the aircraft were found as far as two miles away from the crash site.
A final report on the crash isn’t expected for several more months.
Bramlage Family
JUNCTION CITY — Ron and Becky Bramlage,
along with their four children, were killed in a plane crash on June 7,
2012, in Polk County, Fla., while returning home from a family vacation.
Each of them was very involved in Junction City, and they were avid Kansas State University supporters. They were faithful members of the St. Xavier Parish. Education was important to the family as evidenced by their many school activities, and the academic accomplishments of the children. They were individually, and corporately able to light up a room with their smiles. They radiated happiness and had busy, fulfilling lives. They were loving and generous. Although they had a public presence, they were private people. Family defined them.
The cremated remains will lie in repose after 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Xavier Catholic Church, 218 N. Washington St., followed by a public prayer vigil service at 7. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Junction City Middle School, 700 Wildcat Lane. Both services will be conducted by the Rev. Al Brungart.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Xavier’s Catholic Church, Geary Community Schools Foundation and The Junction City Opera House Inc.
Each of them was very involved in Junction City, and they were avid Kansas State University supporters. They were faithful members of the St. Xavier Parish. Education was important to the family as evidenced by their many school activities, and the academic accomplishments of the children. They were individually, and corporately able to light up a room with their smiles. They radiated happiness and had busy, fulfilling lives. They were loving and generous. Although they had a public presence, they were private people. Family defined them.
The cremated remains will lie in repose after 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Xavier Catholic Church, 218 N. Washington St., followed by a public prayer vigil service at 7. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Junction City Middle School, 700 Wildcat Lane. Both services will be conducted by the Rev. Al Brungart.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Xavier’s Catholic Church, Geary Community Schools Foundation and The Junction City Opera House Inc.
To leave a special online message for the family go to www.PenwellGabelJunctionCity.com
Ron Bramlage, 45, of Junction City, was born March 17, 1967, in Manhattan, to Bob and Patti (Waters) Bramlage. As a member of St. Xavier’s, Ron served on the parish council and as an usher. A graduate of Junction City High School and Kansas State University, he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
Ron married Becky Johnston on Sept. 19, 1992, in Kansas City, Mo. To this union were born four children, Brandon, Boston, Beau and Roxanne. Ron devoted much time to his family and his community as a volunteer coach for the Wrecking Crew, the kids’ wrestling program. He served as a mentor for the JCHS program and sponsored kids to camps, took them to tournaments and often had them over to the wrestling room at the Bramlage home. He provided them a well-equipped off-campus wrestling room above the Goodwill Building.
Professionally, Ron was a commercial real estate broker and developer and was the owner/operator of Roadside Ventures LLC, an outdoor advertising company.
From 2006 to 2010, he served on the Armed Forces Bank Board of Directors, Bank Audit Committee and the Bank Compliance Committee. From 1990 to 2006, Ron served on the Fort Riley National Bank Board, loan committee and was the bank CEO from 2004 to 2006. From 1999 to 2006, he was the owner/operator of Neoteric Ventures, a hotel development company.
His memberships included the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Old Trooper Regiment, Kansas State University Foundation Board of Directors and Kansas State University Mike Ahearn Scholarship Board of Directors.
Ron Bramlage, 45, of Junction City, was born March 17, 1967, in Manhattan, to Bob and Patti (Waters) Bramlage. As a member of St. Xavier’s, Ron served on the parish council and as an usher. A graduate of Junction City High School and Kansas State University, he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
Ron married Becky Johnston on Sept. 19, 1992, in Kansas City, Mo. To this union were born four children, Brandon, Boston, Beau and Roxanne. Ron devoted much time to his family and his community as a volunteer coach for the Wrecking Crew, the kids’ wrestling program. He served as a mentor for the JCHS program and sponsored kids to camps, took them to tournaments and often had them over to the wrestling room at the Bramlage home. He provided them a well-equipped off-campus wrestling room above the Goodwill Building.
Professionally, Ron was a commercial real estate broker and developer and was the owner/operator of Roadside Ventures LLC, an outdoor advertising company.
From 2006 to 2010, he served on the Armed Forces Bank Board of Directors, Bank Audit Committee and the Bank Compliance Committee. From 1990 to 2006, Ron served on the Fort Riley National Bank Board, loan committee and was the bank CEO from 2004 to 2006. From 1999 to 2006, he was the owner/operator of Neoteric Ventures, a hotel development company.
His memberships included the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Old Trooper Regiment, Kansas State University Foundation Board of Directors and Kansas State University Mike Ahearn Scholarship Board of Directors.
The whole family liked to visit Grandmother Waters’ farm and
to fish. Ron was a great friend, a good listener and a keen observer of
people. He was joined in death with his wife and four children, and was
preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Dorothy Bramlage, and
his uncle, Paul Bramlage. Survivors include his father, Bob Bramlage;
his mother, Patti Wertzberger, and his stepfather, Bud Wheeler; his
brother, Damien Bramlage, and his children, Max and Ben; his maternal
grandmother, Virginia Waters; his aunt, Dorothy Willcoxon, and her
husband, Robert; his cousins, Chase and Drew Bramlage, Philip Willcoxon,
and his wife, Leah, and their children, Lexi and Sam; Deborah Ricard,
and her husband, Fernand, and their children Sophia, Gus and Andy; Mark
Willcoxon; Sara Tate, and her husband, Jeff, and their children, Lauren,
Carson and Alena; his stepbrother, Karl Wertzberger, and his wife,
Jeni, and their children, Teggan and John; his stepsister, Kirsten Krug,
and her husband, Robin, and their daughters, Ainsley and Payton.
Becky Bramlage, 43, of Junction City, was born Aug. 8, 1968, in Kansas City, Mo., to Gary and Helen (Gordon) Johnston.
A member of St. Xavier’s, she was on the Altar Society and was a CCD teacher. She was a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 1986 and Kansas State University where she earned a bachelor of arts and master of arts (1992) in business. She was a member of Chi Omega. She married Ron Bramlage at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 19, 1992. She was an exemplary mother to Brandon, Boston, Beau and Roxanne. She helped Ron with his businesses and taught classes at the KSU school of business, but her top priorities were being a wife and mother.
She made countless contributions to the community. She was currently serving as president of the USD 475 Board of Education. Becky was a site council member at JCMS and JCHS and a Lincoln PTO member. She was a board member/secretary for the Geary Community Schools Foundation. She was a board member/secretary for the Lady Troopers Organization. She was a member and chaplain of Chapter AR of PEO. She was a great cook and baker and loved to share with friends and neighbors. Her volunteerism centered on her children and included kids wrestling, hosting end of the year parties for each of the kid’s classrooms at Lincoln, baking cookies for their sports teams and enjoying time with them walking, running, boating, tubing and skiing at the lake, taking bicycle rides, and snow skiing. She was patient, kind, and calm.
She was joined in death with her husband and four children and was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Bruce Johnston, and maternal grandfather, Merrill Kern Gordon of Winfield,
Survivors include her father and mother, Gary and Helen Johnston; her brother, Cory Lockwood Johnston, his wife, Veronica, and their daughters, Jordan, Sophia and Emory; maternal grandmother, Bette Gordon, and paternal grandmother, Wilma Johnston; her uncle and aunt, Merrill Gordon and wife, Tracey, of Winfield; aunt, Suzanne Lecht; aunt, Barbara Gordon and Sam King; aunt and uncle, Sandra and Jeff Ward; aunt and uncle, Nancy and Jack Zimmerman; cousins, Sherry Jurad, Todd Creel, Greg Zimmerman, Chris Zimmerman, Jeff Zimmerman, Casey Zimmerman, Amy Michael, Chad Gordon and Heather Gordon.
Brandon Bramlage, 15, of Junction City, was born Oct. 4, 1996, in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. As a member of St. Xavier’s he was an altar server. In elementary school, Brandon played Jr. Jays football and was a Lincoln Lion. He attended 4-H camp at Rock Springs. He was a member of the JCMS National Junior Honor Society, and was honored at “The Night of the Stars” his sixth, seventh and eighth grade years. He participated in seventh and eighth grade wrestling, played golf and was a trumpet player in the school band. He was a 10-year member of the Wrecking Crew kids wrestling club. Like all of his siblings, he loved riding the dirt bike trail behind his house, jumping on the trampoline in the front yard and participating in JC YMCA Youth Sports programs. As a freshman, Brandon was a member of the JCHS varsity wrestling team where he was honored as the most improved wrestler for the 2011-2012 season. He placed fifth at the 2012 Kansas State Wrestling Tournament, Class 6A, in the 106-pound weight division. He was on the JCHS cross country team. He served as a page in the last session of the state Legislature for Rep. Jim Fawcett. This summer he was working as a life guard at the Junction City swimming pool. Like his Dad, Brandon was a man of few words.
Boston Bramlage, 13, of Junction City, was born June 11, 1998 in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. He was an altar server at St. Xavier’s Catholic Church. He was a Lincoln Lion and participated for a number of years in kids wrestling and Tae-Kwan-Do. He attended 4-H camp at Rock Springs. Boston was a member of the National Honor Society at JCMS, received the ER Daily Math Award, and was an avid reader. He was honored his sixth, seventh and eighth grade years at “The Night of the Stars.” He was a member of the JCMS seventh and eighth grade tennis and cross country teams and played saxophone in the school band. He was a page for Rep. Jim Fawcett at the Kansas State Capitol during the last legislative session. He loved swimming at the Junction City swimming pool. He was a scholar with many friends.
Beau Bramlage, 11, of Junction City, was born Dec. 16, 2000, in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. As a member, he was involved in youth activities at St. Xavier’s Catholic Church and served as an altar boy. He was a Lincoln Lion, participated in youth wrestling,, and his Jr. Jays football team won the championship in 2011. He attended 4-H camp at Rock Springs. At JCMS, Beau was a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and was honored at “The Night of the Stars” his sixth grade year. Beau enjoyed swimming at the Junction City Pool. He was always known to wear silly socks with bright colors. He was very funny, and had a wonderful sense of humor.
Roxanne Bramlage, 8, of Junction City, was born Jan. 1, 2004, in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. As a member of St. Xavier’s Catholic Church, Roxanne had her First Communion in May. She was a Lincoln Lion and took dance lessons at Clarabel’s for four years and gymnastic lessons at Gymnastics Plus for two years. She attended J-Stepper dance clinics and JCHS cheer clinics. She was a Girl Scout. She participated in the Geary County Girls Softball League and was a tireless soccer player. She was looking forward to her first 4-H camp and more swimming at the pool. Roxanne was a fearless, friendly, talkative young lady.
Becky Bramlage, 43, of Junction City, was born Aug. 8, 1968, in Kansas City, Mo., to Gary and Helen (Gordon) Johnston.
A member of St. Xavier’s, she was on the Altar Society and was a CCD teacher. She was a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 1986 and Kansas State University where she earned a bachelor of arts and master of arts (1992) in business. She was a member of Chi Omega. She married Ron Bramlage at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 19, 1992. She was an exemplary mother to Brandon, Boston, Beau and Roxanne. She helped Ron with his businesses and taught classes at the KSU school of business, but her top priorities were being a wife and mother.
She made countless contributions to the community. She was currently serving as president of the USD 475 Board of Education. Becky was a site council member at JCMS and JCHS and a Lincoln PTO member. She was a board member/secretary for the Geary Community Schools Foundation. She was a board member/secretary for the Lady Troopers Organization. She was a member and chaplain of Chapter AR of PEO. She was a great cook and baker and loved to share with friends and neighbors. Her volunteerism centered on her children and included kids wrestling, hosting end of the year parties for each of the kid’s classrooms at Lincoln, baking cookies for their sports teams and enjoying time with them walking, running, boating, tubing and skiing at the lake, taking bicycle rides, and snow skiing. She was patient, kind, and calm.
She was joined in death with her husband and four children and was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Bruce Johnston, and maternal grandfather, Merrill Kern Gordon of Winfield,
Survivors include her father and mother, Gary and Helen Johnston; her brother, Cory Lockwood Johnston, his wife, Veronica, and their daughters, Jordan, Sophia and Emory; maternal grandmother, Bette Gordon, and paternal grandmother, Wilma Johnston; her uncle and aunt, Merrill Gordon and wife, Tracey, of Winfield; aunt, Suzanne Lecht; aunt, Barbara Gordon and Sam King; aunt and uncle, Sandra and Jeff Ward; aunt and uncle, Nancy and Jack Zimmerman; cousins, Sherry Jurad, Todd Creel, Greg Zimmerman, Chris Zimmerman, Jeff Zimmerman, Casey Zimmerman, Amy Michael, Chad Gordon and Heather Gordon.
Brandon Bramlage, 15, of Junction City, was born Oct. 4, 1996, in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. As a member of St. Xavier’s he was an altar server. In elementary school, Brandon played Jr. Jays football and was a Lincoln Lion. He attended 4-H camp at Rock Springs. He was a member of the JCMS National Junior Honor Society, and was honored at “The Night of the Stars” his sixth, seventh and eighth grade years. He participated in seventh and eighth grade wrestling, played golf and was a trumpet player in the school band. He was a 10-year member of the Wrecking Crew kids wrestling club. Like all of his siblings, he loved riding the dirt bike trail behind his house, jumping on the trampoline in the front yard and participating in JC YMCA Youth Sports programs. As a freshman, Brandon was a member of the JCHS varsity wrestling team where he was honored as the most improved wrestler for the 2011-2012 season. He placed fifth at the 2012 Kansas State Wrestling Tournament, Class 6A, in the 106-pound weight division. He was on the JCHS cross country team. He served as a page in the last session of the state Legislature for Rep. Jim Fawcett. This summer he was working as a life guard at the Junction City swimming pool. Like his Dad, Brandon was a man of few words.
Boston Bramlage, 13, of Junction City, was born June 11, 1998 in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. He was an altar server at St. Xavier’s Catholic Church. He was a Lincoln Lion and participated for a number of years in kids wrestling and Tae-Kwan-Do. He attended 4-H camp at Rock Springs. Boston was a member of the National Honor Society at JCMS, received the ER Daily Math Award, and was an avid reader. He was honored his sixth, seventh and eighth grade years at “The Night of the Stars.” He was a member of the JCMS seventh and eighth grade tennis and cross country teams and played saxophone in the school band. He was a page for Rep. Jim Fawcett at the Kansas State Capitol during the last legislative session. He loved swimming at the Junction City swimming pool. He was a scholar with many friends.
Beau Bramlage, 11, of Junction City, was born Dec. 16, 2000, in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. As a member, he was involved in youth activities at St. Xavier’s Catholic Church and served as an altar boy. He was a Lincoln Lion, participated in youth wrestling,, and his Jr. Jays football team won the championship in 2011. He attended 4-H camp at Rock Springs. At JCMS, Beau was a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and was honored at “The Night of the Stars” his sixth grade year. Beau enjoyed swimming at the Junction City Pool. He was always known to wear silly socks with bright colors. He was very funny, and had a wonderful sense of humor.
Roxanne Bramlage, 8, of Junction City, was born Jan. 1, 2004, in Manhattan, to Ron and Becky (Johnston) Bramlage. As a member of St. Xavier’s Catholic Church, Roxanne had her First Communion in May. She was a Lincoln Lion and took dance lessons at Clarabel’s for four years and gymnastic lessons at Gymnastics Plus for two years. She attended J-Stepper dance clinics and JCHS cheer clinics. She was a Girl Scout. She participated in the Geary County Girls Softball League and was a tireless soccer player. She was looking forward to her first 4-H camp and more swimming at the pool. Roxanne was a fearless, friendly, talkative young lady.
Source: http://www.winfieldcourier.com
Bramlage Family
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Ronald Bramlage was piloting a Pilatus PC-12/47 at the time of the crash on Thursday, June 7, 2012 returning from a trip to the Bahamas with his wife Rebecca, and four children Brandon, Boston, Beau, and Roxanne. All six were killed in the crash.
Visit Guest Book
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Funeral Services Set For Bramlage Family
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. --
Funeral services have been set for the Junction City family who
perished in a plane crash on their way home from vacation last week.
A vigil will be held the night before at 7 PM at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Junction City where the Bramlage family were parishioners.
Ron Bramlage, 45, Becky Bramlage, 43, and their children- 15-year-old Brandon, 13-year-old Boston ,11-year-old Beau and 8-year-old Roxanne, died when their private aircraft crashed in a remote area near Lake Wales, Florida Thursday, June 7, 2012.
They were traveling from the Bahamas back to their Junction City home when the single engine plane went down in a swampy area shortly after noon. Ron Bramlage was the pilot.
Pieces of the aircraft were scattered over a four-mile area in rough terrain.
The National Transportation Safety Board has started its investigation into the crash.
Ron Bramlage was a prominent philanthropist and businessman in Junction City. Becky. Bramlage was the President of the Board of Education for Geary County USD 475.
The couple were graduates of Kansas State University, and members of the K-State Alumni Association, President's Club, Foundation Trustees and Ahearn Fund.
Ron was the grandson of the late Fred Bramlage, a 1935 graduate of K-State and Junction City businessman. Fred Bramlage was the lead contributor to the construction of Bramlage Coliseum, a multi-purpose arena that opened in 1988 and is home to the K-State men's and women's basketball teams.
Grief counseling is being offered by Geary County USD 475 to students, staff members and members of the community. Counselors will be available Tuesday, June 12th from 8:30-12:30 PM at Lincoln Elementary, the Freshman Success Academy and Junction City Middle School.
Father Al Brungardt, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Junction City, says family members wanted to have the funeral services in Junction City because Mr. and Mrs. Bramlage were devoted to the community and it is also where their children were raised and attended school. "This was home for them," he said.
Bramlages are missed at Sunday Mass
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The Bramlage family spent their Sunday mornings
attending service at St. Francis Xavier Church in Junction City, Kan.
This Sunday was the first day parishioners and friends came to grips
with the reality that the family will never be coming back.
"They always sat two rows up to our left," said Rosemary Kane.
Kane
attends the 9:30 a.m. Mass and she is use to seeing the Bramlage
family. She says the entire congregation is coming to terms with
Thursday's plane crash in Florida that killed the entire Bramlage
family.
Father Al Brunghardt has led St. Xavier for 13 years
and says the Bramlages were very active in the church. He's been
fielding questions about the crash and the family since news of the
accident broke.
"A lot of the concerns, what happened, all things I don't know," father Brunghardt said. "Especially right after it happened."
Officials
investigating a plane crash that killed a Kansas family of six last
week said a preliminary report on what happened is expected to be
completed within a couple of weeks.
Nicholas Worrell, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said Monday the preliminary report will have basic information about the crash that occurred in a rugged area east of Lake Wales. The full report outlining what caused the crash could take six months to a year to complete.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating.
Word on the official cause of deaths for the family members awaits the results of toxicology tests, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
A memorial service for Ronald and Rebecca Bramlage and their four children is planned for June 21 at the Junction Middle School in Junction City, Kansas.
The family was flying from the Bahamas to Kansas on a 2006 12-seat Pilatus PC-12/47 turboprop. The plane, piloted by Ronald Bramlage, 45, was owned by his company, Roadside Ventures of Junction City.
The NTSB said the plane was last reported at 25,100 feet. It had stopped at 12:05 p.m. Thursday at the St. Lucie County International Airport in Fort Pierce for customs. The plane crashed about 12:30 p.m.
Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and the couple's four children, Brandon, 15, Boston, 13, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8, also died in the crash.
The 13-year-old was found about four-tenths of a mile from the main crash scene Friday. Deputies said it appears he was thrown from the plane through a gaping hole next to his seat.
Steele's Family Funeral Service in Winter Haven is assisting with funeral services and transporting the family back to Kansas.
Relatives of the Bramlage family released a statement through the funeral home: "The Johnston and Bramlage families wish to thank all of the persons who were involved in the search and rescue of our beloved family. Special thanks to those that were diligent in the discovery of our missing child, Boston."
The crash raises questions about whether parents and children should fly together to vacation spots, and whether families worry about safely traveling on small planes or even in cars on busy roads.
Alison Rhodes, a national child safety expert, told ABC News that parents should have a plan for what to do if one or both parents die in a crash. Rhodes said parents need to clearly communicate with relatives about "what needs to happen" if there is an emergency when one or both parents perish in a crash.
While the Bramlages and some families insist they want to fly together, other couples insist on flying separately so that one parent will likely survive to take care of the children.
In 2009, when an Air France flight crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and claimed the lives of a 34-year-old Swedish mother and her 5-year-old son, the woman's husband and daughter were famously found alive after they had taken a different flight for the family's vacation. The husband said after the crash that they always split up on flights in case of tragedy.
Similarly, Kate Winslet and her ex-husband, Sam Mendes, made headlines when they said in 2009 that they fly separately in case of a crash, so that one parent will survive to take care of the children.
"It's a very personal decision, and either side of this is certainly respectable," therapist Terry Real told ABC News. "I don't think people that decide to fly separately are nuts, I think they're responding to a real fear."
The cause of the crash of the 2006 Pilatus PC-12/47 in Florida is not yet known, but the Bramlages were traveling home in clear weather when the plane began to break apart. Parts of the plane were found 3.5 miles from where the plane went down.
Flying, even in a small plane, is still less dangerous than driving in a car, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. In the past two years, there have been no fatal crashes of scheduled commercial jets--the type of flying most Americans do. By comparison, there were more than 10 million car accidents in the US in 2009, resulting in some 35,000 deaths, according to US census data.
While there were no fatal accidents on commercial jets recently, there were 267 fatal accidents among non-commercial planes. The majority of those accidents are caused by human error, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute.
"Airplane travel holds a lower risk of an accident than automobile travel," said Judith Myers-Walls, a child therapist and professor emerita at Purdue University. "So should families never all travel in the same car?"
"The goal could be to live with a reasonable balance between expecting mortality and immortality," Myers-Walls said. "Be prepared for sudden catastrophes by keeping affairs in order, having an updated will, and not neglecting important tasks or relationships. But also be prepared for the very long term."
Former Owner: Plane had an excellent history
Polk County, Florida - It may take investigators up to one year to figure out exactly what caused the Pilatus PC-12 to break apart and fall from the sky over Polk County.
NTSB investigators say the debris field is scattered around a four mile area.
While no one wants to speculate about what happened, the plane's former owner says it was trouble free when it was sold three months ago.
Ronald Bramlage's company purchased the aircraft, according to FAA records. He was piloting the plane at the time of the crash, returning from a trip to the Bahamas with his wife Rebecca, and four children Brandon, 15, Boston, 13, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8.
All six were killed in the crash.
"It's a horrible tragedy. We are really, really upset by this and we hope that we can determine what the cause of the crash was," said Todd Macaluso, the plane's former owner.
Macaluso may be a familiar name. He was one of Casey Anthony's defense attorneys and says used the aircraft to fly Anthony out of Florida when she was released last year.
Macaluso says his company owned and operated the plane for two years.
"The plane did go through an annual inspection before it was sold to those buyers, so it should have had a clean bill of health," Macaluso told 10 News by phone from his home in San Diego, California.
In a strange twist, Macaluso also often represents families of aircraft crash victims.
The plane was often used to transport his law firm's team of investigators across the country.
He says he even used it to take his own family on vacation and on relief missions to Haiti after the earthquake.
"It's a wonderful plane, excellent flying quality," he said.
NTSB special investigator Tim Monville says they will be reviewing the pilot's records, along with maintenance, weather and training reports.
Monville says he's also been in touch with the aircraft's manufacturer and the manufacturers of the propeller and engine.
They are trying to find out what caused six feet of the right wing to break off along with parts of the left wing and the horizontal stabilizer.
It is also not known what caused a large "gaping hole" in the side of the fuselage where it's believed the 13-year-old fell out while the plane was in the air.
"They have never seen a structural separation and I want to be very careful to say, and this is the takeaway, we don't know if the structural event is a resultant of some other even that proceeded that," explained Monville.
He says investigators will examine each piece of the aircraft they recover and reconstruct the plane to determine what happened. The process could take 9-12 months.
When asked if the pilot could have controlled the plane after the structural separation, Monville said, "In terms of controllability of the aircraft, there's a question of whether it was even possible."
The sixth family member of a plane crash in Florida's Polk County has been found. The body of 13-year-old Boston Bramlage was found about a half mile away from the scene of the crash, where the rest of his family was discovered.
Related stories:
Family of six killed in small plane crash
Photos: Deadly plane crash in Lake Wales
Candlelight vigil honors plane crash victims
~
Debris found near Nalcrest
On board was a well known Kansas businessman Ron Bramlage, his wife
Rebecca, and their four children, Brandon, Boston, Beau, and Roxanne.
~
Ron Bramlage, his wife, Becky, and their
four children died in the crash
~
Wrestling shoes and flowers hang from the fence of the home of Ron and
Rebecca Bramlage and their four children, left by friends and neighbors,
Thursday, June 7, 2012, in Junction City, Kan. The family died in a
Florida plane crash, and three Bramlage boys were wrestlers.
Photo: John Hanna
/ AP
~
Friends and neighbors of Ron and Rebecca Bramlage and their four
children leave flowers and other items at the fence of their home to
honor them after their deaths, Thursday, June 7, 2012, in Junction City,
Kan. The family died in a Florida plane crash.
Photo: John Hanna
/ AP
~
~
~
~
An unidentified FAA Investigator, left, and Sheriff Grady Judd
investigate the site where a Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine turboprop
passenger plane, crashed in southeast polk County near Lake Weohyakapka,
aka Lake Walk In the Water, in southeast Polk County, Fla. on Thursday,
June 7, 2012. Ronald Bramlage, 45, of Junction City, Kan., who was
piloting the plane, his wife Rebecca and their four children were killed
in the crash. TAMPA TRIBUNE OUT
Photo: The Lakeland Ledger, Pierre DuCharme
/ AP
This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows the
wreckage of a Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop passenger plane that
crashed near Lake Weohyakapka, aka Lake Walk In the Water, in southeast
Polk County, Fla. on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Ronald Bramlage, 45, of
Junction City, Kan., who was piloting the plane, his wife Rebecca and
their four children were killed in the crash.
Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office
/ AP
Emergency personnel investigate the site where a Pilatus PC-12, a
single-engine turboprop passenger plane, crashed in southeast polk
County near Lake Weohyakapka, aka Lake Walk In the Water, in southeast
Polk County, Fla. on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Ronald Bramlage, 45, of
Junction City, Kan., who was piloting the plane, his wife Rebecca and
their four children were killed in the crash. TAMPA TRIBUNE OUT
Photo: The Lakeland Ledger, Pierre DuCharme
/ AP
In this photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, emergency
personnel investigate the site where a Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine
turboprop passenger plane, crashed near Lake Weohyakapka, aka Lake Walk
In the Water, in southeast Polk County, Fla. on Thursday, June 7, 2012.
Ronald Bramlage, 45, of Junction City, Kan., who was piloting the plane,
his wife Rebecca and their four children were killed in the crash.
Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office
/ AP
Investigators work the site where a Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine
turboprop passenger plane, crashed in southeast polk County near Lake
Weohyakapka, aka Lake Walk In the Water, in southeast Polk County, Fla.
on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Ronald Bramlage, 45, of Junction City, Kan.,
who was piloting the plane, his wife Rebecca and their four children
were killed in the crash. TAMPA TRIBUNE OUT
Photo: The Lakeland Ledger, Pierre DuCharme
/ AP
Report On Plane Crash Near Lake Wales That Killed Six Being Prepared
Nicholas Worrell, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said Monday the preliminary report will have basic information about the crash that occurred in a rugged area east of Lake Wales. The full report outlining what caused the crash could take six months to a year to complete.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating.
Word on the official cause of deaths for the family members awaits the results of toxicology tests, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
A memorial service for Ronald and Rebecca Bramlage and their four children is planned for June 21 at the Junction Middle School in Junction City, Kansas.
The family was flying from the Bahamas to Kansas on a 2006 12-seat Pilatus PC-12/47 turboprop. The plane, piloted by Ronald Bramlage, 45, was owned by his company, Roadside Ventures of Junction City.
The NTSB said the plane was last reported at 25,100 feet. It had stopped at 12:05 p.m. Thursday at the St. Lucie County International Airport in Fort Pierce for customs. The plane crashed about 12:30 p.m.
Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and the couple's four children, Brandon, 15, Boston, 13, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8, also died in the crash.
The 13-year-old was found about four-tenths of a mile from the main crash scene Friday. Deputies said it appears he was thrown from the plane through a gaping hole next to his seat.
Steele's Family Funeral Service in Winter Haven is assisting with funeral services and transporting the family back to Kansas.
Relatives of the Bramlage family released a statement through the funeral home: "The Johnston and Bramlage families wish to thank all of the persons who were involved in the search and rescue of our beloved family. Special thanks to those that were diligent in the discovery of our missing child, Boston."
Aircraft Specification Sheet for Pilatus PC-12/47, SN 730, N950KA, Click here
ATC/Pilot Audio Clips - "Pilatus PC-12 crash"
Audio from KFPR in Fort Pierce, Florida of the ill-fated aircraft taking off.
The clip is edited.
Please note: You must log in to hear audio clips
=======
Are Small Planes Safe? Family's Deadly Crash in Florida Sparks Worries
A
tragic plane crash in the swamps of Florida that claimed the lives of
an entire family including four young children, sparked an outpouring of
grief today from their Kansas hometown and the resurgence of fears
about what happens when families fly together - especially in small
planes.
Ron
Bramlage, a businessman from Junction City, Kan., was piloting the
single-engine plane as he and his family traveled home from a vacation
in the Bahamas. It broke apart and crashed into the Tiger Creek Preserve
around 12:30 p.m., killing Bramlage, 45, his wife, Rebecca, 43, and
children Brandon, 15; Boston, 13; Beau, 11; and Roxanne, 8.
Junction
City Mayor Pat Landes said the family was well-known in the community,
supported many local projects and provided college scholarships to local
families.
"It's just a horrific loss," Landes told the Associated Press.
The crash raises questions about whether parents and children should fly together to vacation spots, and whether families worry about safely traveling on small planes or even in cars on busy roads.
Alison Rhodes, a national child safety expert, told ABC News that parents should have a plan for what to do if one or both parents die in a crash. Rhodes said parents need to clearly communicate with relatives about "what needs to happen" if there is an emergency when one or both parents perish in a crash.
While the Bramlages and some families insist they want to fly together, other couples insist on flying separately so that one parent will likely survive to take care of the children.
In 2009, when an Air France flight crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and claimed the lives of a 34-year-old Swedish mother and her 5-year-old son, the woman's husband and daughter were famously found alive after they had taken a different flight for the family's vacation. The husband said after the crash that they always split up on flights in case of tragedy.
Similarly, Kate Winslet and her ex-husband, Sam Mendes, made headlines when they said in 2009 that they fly separately in case of a crash, so that one parent will survive to take care of the children.
"It's a very personal decision, and either side of this is certainly respectable," therapist Terry Real told ABC News. "I don't think people that decide to fly separately are nuts, I think they're responding to a real fear."
The cause of the crash of the 2006 Pilatus PC-12/47 in Florida is not yet known, but the Bramlages were traveling home in clear weather when the plane began to break apart. Parts of the plane were found 3.5 miles from where the plane went down.
Flying, even in a small plane, is still less dangerous than driving in a car, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. In the past two years, there have been no fatal crashes of scheduled commercial jets--the type of flying most Americans do. By comparison, there were more than 10 million car accidents in the US in 2009, resulting in some 35,000 deaths, according to US census data.
While there were no fatal accidents on commercial jets recently, there were 267 fatal accidents among non-commercial planes. The majority of those accidents are caused by human error, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute.
"Airplane travel holds a lower risk of an accident than automobile travel," said Judith Myers-Walls, a child therapist and professor emerita at Purdue University. "So should families never all travel in the same car?"
"The goal could be to live with a reasonable balance between expecting mortality and immortality," Myers-Walls said. "Be prepared for sudden catastrophes by keeping affairs in order, having an updated will, and not neglecting important tasks or relationships. But also be prepared for the very long term."
Source: http://abcnews.go.com
Former Owner: Plane had an excellent history
Polk County, Florida - It may take investigators up to one year to figure out exactly what caused the Pilatus PC-12 to break apart and fall from the sky over Polk County.
NTSB investigators say the debris field is scattered around a four mile area.
While no one wants to speculate about what happened, the plane's former owner says it was trouble free when it was sold three months ago.
Ronald Bramlage's company purchased the aircraft, according to FAA records. He was piloting the plane at the time of the crash, returning from a trip to the Bahamas with his wife Rebecca, and four children Brandon, 15, Boston, 13, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8.
All six were killed in the crash.
"It's a horrible tragedy. We are really, really upset by this and we hope that we can determine what the cause of the crash was," said Todd Macaluso, the plane's former owner.
Macaluso may be a familiar name. He was one of Casey Anthony's defense attorneys and says used the aircraft to fly Anthony out of Florida when she was released last year.
Macaluso says his company owned and operated the plane for two years.
"The plane did go through an annual inspection before it was sold to those buyers, so it should have had a clean bill of health," Macaluso told 10 News by phone from his home in San Diego, California.
In a strange twist, Macaluso also often represents families of aircraft crash victims.
The plane was often used to transport his law firm's team of investigators across the country.
He says he even used it to take his own family on vacation and on relief missions to Haiti after the earthquake.
"It's a wonderful plane, excellent flying quality," he said.
NTSB special investigator Tim Monville says they will be reviewing the pilot's records, along with maintenance, weather and training reports.
Monville says he's also been in touch with the aircraft's manufacturer and the manufacturers of the propeller and engine.
They are trying to find out what caused six feet of the right wing to break off along with parts of the left wing and the horizontal stabilizer.
It is also not known what caused a large "gaping hole" in the side of the fuselage where it's believed the 13-year-old fell out while the plane was in the air.
"They have never seen a structural separation and I want to be very careful to say, and this is the takeaway, we don't know if the structural event is a resultant of some other even that proceeded that," explained Monville.
He says investigators will examine each piece of the aircraft they recover and reconstruct the plane to determine what happened. The process could take 9-12 months.
When asked if the pilot could have controlled the plane after the structural separation, Monville said, "In terms of controllability of the aircraft, there's a question of whether it was even possible."
The sixth family member of a plane crash in Florida's Polk County has been found. The body of 13-year-old Boston Bramlage was found about a half mile away from the scene of the crash, where the rest of his family was discovered.
"Friday
afternoon, at 2:20pm, we located the missing young man," said Polk
County Sheriff Grady Judd. "He was not in the plane when the plane hit
the ground, he was thrown from the aircraft while it was coming to the
ground. We've had several different witnesses tell us it was flat and it
was rotating."
Investigators
say it appears the right wing of the plane somehow separated when the
plane was at about 25,000 feet. The Sheriff said Boston Bramlage was
catapulted from the plane before it disappeared from radar and crashed.
"The
pilot of another aircraft heard the pilot of this aircraft announce a
mayday, gave his call sign, but was not specific about the nature of the
emergency," said Tim Monville, a Senior Air Safety Investigator with
the NTSB.
The NTSB said about six feet of the right wing is still missing.
More
than a hundred men and women searched as if it had been their own
child, according to Judd. Florida Fish and Wildlife Deputies found the
teen almost a mile away from the wreckage.
"It
breaks out heart to see an event like this occur," said Judd. "It's
just a tragic event, of monumental proportions, but we're pleased that
we were at least reuniting them the entire family now."
The debris field spans four miles.
"It's
pretty rough terrain, the only real way to access it is by swamp buggy,
or ATV," said Joe Brooks, who is an investigator with the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Commission.
Related stories:
Family of six killed in small plane crash
Photos: Deadly plane crash in Lake Wales
Candlelight vigil honors plane crash victims
N950KA back home at Palomar Airport - 70 hours 18,000 miles
N950KA Casey Anthony Linked Plane Heads to Houston Texas
http://www.flickr.com/photos - Former aircraft owner Todd Macaluso of Casey Anthony fame
Photos: Deadly plane crash in Lake Wales
The announcement was made Friday afternoon. His body was found about half a mile from the crash site. Trees had kept him hidden from the view of searchers in the air.
The boy, his three siblings and parents died in a plane crash Thursday afternoon. The family was from Junction City, KS.
Investigators believe Boston was sucked out of the plane piloted by his father when the plane first experienced problems at 26,100 feet. Debris was strewn across several miles of a heavily wooded, rugged remote area.
The plane crashed about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. A witness described watching the plane spiral as it fell from the sky before landing with a boom.
Federal investigators said Ron Bramlage, 45, issued a Mayday call, but did not identify the problem. He also triggered a distress beacon that helped searchers locate the plane.
The family was en route to Kansas after a vacation in the Bahamas with family members who live in the island nation. They had stopped off at a St. Lucie County airport for customs purposes and had taken off about again about noon.
"We know the child is not in the aircraft. We know there is a gaping hole in the aircraft in the area of one of the seats," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters before the discovery was made. "We are looking for this child as if he were our child out here. We don't know where he is. But certainly we will continue to search until we find him."
Judd said the search included a nearby lake.
"We've got to find the child," the sheriff said.
And they finally did.
Once the plane crash site was reached, investigators found inside the plane the bodies of Ron Bramlage, Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and three of their children: Brandon, 15, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8.
Rebecca "Becky" Bramlage was president of the Geary County School Board. Counselors are meeting with the children's grieving classmates Friday.
One sobbing classmate said she couldn't believe the news. She said she felt like she had been punched in the stomach.
Ron Bramlage was a prominent businessman in Junction City. He owned Roadside Ventures LLC, a outdoor advertising company in Junction City.
Ron Bramlage was the grandson of the late Fred Bramlage, a 1935 graduate and a Junction City businessman. Fred Bramlage was the lead contributor to the construction of Bramlage Coliseum, a multipurpose arena that opened in 1988 and is the home to K-State's basketball teams.
Roadside Ventures bought the single-engine aircraft involved in the crash about three months ago. The company bought the plane from Todd Macoluso. The Florida attorney represented Casey Anthony, a Florida mother who was acquitted in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
The plane drew national attention when it was used to fly Anthony from Orlando after she finished serving her jail time for lying to investigators about the death of her daughter and writing hot checks.
The plane was also used for a relief mission in Haiti after that country's earthquake.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will spend months investigating the cause of the crash. Weather was stormy at the time of the crash. Federal investigators will also look at mechanical records.
LAKE WALES, Fla.- Investigators say it appears something catastrophic happened in the moments before a luxury single engine airplane went down over a remote area of Polk County Thursday.
"We don't know why the plane came apart in mid air, but it did," says Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Six members of the Bramlage family died in a plane crash in Florida Thursday.
N950KA Casey Anthony Linked Plane Heads to Houston Texas
http://www.flickr.com/photos - Former aircraft owner Todd Macaluso of Casey Anthony fame
Photos: Deadly plane crash in Lake Wales
JUNCTION CITY, KS (KCTV) - Searchers in Florida have found the body of 13-year-old Boston Bramlage.
The announcement was made Friday afternoon. His body was found about half a mile from the crash site. Trees had kept him hidden from the view of searchers in the air.
The boy, his three siblings and parents died in a plane crash Thursday afternoon. The family was from Junction City, KS.
Investigators believe Boston was sucked out of the plane piloted by his father when the plane first experienced problems at 26,100 feet. Debris was strewn across several miles of a heavily wooded, rugged remote area.
The plane crashed about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. A witness described watching the plane spiral as it fell from the sky before landing with a boom.
Federal investigators said Ron Bramlage, 45, issued a Mayday call, but did not identify the problem. He also triggered a distress beacon that helped searchers locate the plane.
The family was en route to Kansas after a vacation in the Bahamas with family members who live in the island nation. They had stopped off at a St. Lucie County airport for customs purposes and had taken off about again about noon.
"We know the child is not in the aircraft. We know there is a gaping hole in the aircraft in the area of one of the seats," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters before the discovery was made. "We are looking for this child as if he were our child out here. We don't know where he is. But certainly we will continue to search until we find him."
Judd said the search included a nearby lake.
"We've got to find the child," the sheriff said.
And they finally did.
Once the plane crash site was reached, investigators found inside the plane the bodies of Ron Bramlage, Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and three of their children: Brandon, 15, Beau, 11, and Roxanne, 8.
Rebecca "Becky" Bramlage was president of the Geary County School Board. Counselors are meeting with the children's grieving classmates Friday.
One sobbing classmate said she couldn't believe the news. She said she felt like she had been punched in the stomach.
Ron Bramlage was a prominent businessman in Junction City. He owned Roadside Ventures LLC, a outdoor advertising company in Junction City.
Ron Bramlage was the grandson of the late Fred Bramlage, a 1935 graduate and a Junction City businessman. Fred Bramlage was the lead contributor to the construction of Bramlage Coliseum, a multipurpose arena that opened in 1988 and is the home to K-State's basketball teams.
Roadside Ventures bought the single-engine aircraft involved in the crash about three months ago. The company bought the plane from Todd Macoluso. The Florida attorney represented Casey Anthony, a Florida mother who was acquitted in the death of her daughter, Caylee.
The plane drew national attention when it was used to fly Anthony from Orlando after she finished serving her jail time for lying to investigators about the death of her daughter and writing hot checks.
The plane was also used for a relief mission in Haiti after that country's earthquake.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will spend months investigating the cause of the crash. Weather was stormy at the time of the crash. Federal investigators will also look at mechanical records.
LAKE WALES, Fla.- Investigators say it appears something catastrophic happened in the moments before a luxury single engine airplane went down over a remote area of Polk County Thursday.
On board was a well known Kansas businessman Ron Bramlage, his wife
Rebecca, and their four children, Brandon, Boston, Beau, and Roxanne.
"We don't know why the plane came apart in mid air, but it did," says Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Photo Gallery: Deadly Lake Wales plane crash
911 calls reporting the downed aircraft came in shortly after 12:30
Thursday afternoon. Locals report stormy weather in the area just before
the crash.
Emergency crews arrived to find 5 of the 6 family members dead inside
the wreckage. After an extensive search of the crash site it was
confirmed one of the children, believed to be 13 year old Boston was
missing.
"We know the child is not in the aircraft. We know there is a gaping
hole in the aircraft in the area of one of the seats," said Sheriff
Judd.
That could mean the child was sucked from the plane which was flying at
26,000 feet when it first encountered problems. A 3 to 4 mile debris
field stretches across a wooded area of Polk County.
At first light Friday crews will resume a massive effort to locate the
missing child's remains and any additional parts of the aircraft.
"This is a corner of the county that is all woods, so we can literally
search for days and days and days and if it becomes necessary that's
what we'll do." Sheriff Judd says the operation will include air and
marine units, deputies on the ground searching by ATV, horseback and
even on foot.
"Ware looking for this child as if it were our child," says Judd. "We
don't know where he is, but certainly we will continue to search until
we find him."
The Bramlage family is well known in their hometown of Junction City.
Kansas State basketball's "Bramlage Coliseum" is named for the family
who provided a huge donation.
Stunned relatives back in Kansas are waiting for additional word on what
happened as crews from the FAA and NTSB work to piece together what
went so terribly wrong.
Six members of the Bramlage family died in a plane crash in Florida Thursday.
Ron Bramlage, his wife, Becky, and their
four children died in the crash. The plane was flying from the Bahamas
to Junction City, KS, when it crashed in the Tiger Creek Swamp.
The couple both graduated from Kansas State
University. Ron Bramlage was the grandson of the late Fred Bramlage, a
1935 graduate and a Junction City businessman. Fred Bramlage was the
lead contributor to the construction of Bramlage Coliseum, a
multi-purpose arena that opened in 1988 and is the home to K-State's
basketball teams.
Ron Bramlage owns Roadside Ventures LLC, a
outdoor advertising company in Junction City. Becky Bramlage was
president of the Geary County Board of Education.
The family had been vacationing in the
Bahamas and left Treasure Cay about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The plane
stopped in St. Lucie County for immigration purposes and then took off
again just after noon.
The crash happened at 12:36 p.m.
Parts of the single-engine plane were found
two miles from the crash site. Authorities said the plane appeared to
break up while in air.
The plane went down in rugged swamp country.
Would-be rescuers and investigators had to use all-terrain vehicles to
get to the scene.
The bodies of the couple and their children
Brandon, Beau and Roxanne have been recovered. Investigators believe
13-year-old Boston was sucked out of the plane when a hole opened in the
fuselage.
The search for his body has ended for the
night. Searchers will resume Friday morning, but poor weather conditions
are expected to hamper their efforts. Searchers will be combing
hundreds of acres in thick steep forests.
Kenny Lannou, spokesman for K-State, said
this was a tragic day and the university's thoughts and prayers are with
Bramlage family during a difficult time.
Both Ron and Becky Bramlage were active at
various organizations at K-State including serving as foundation
trustees and members of the President's Club.
"We are shocked and saddened by the tragic
news of the deaths of Ron and Becky Bramlage and their children today,"
according to a statement issued on behalf of University President Kirk
Schulz and Athletic Director John Currie. "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."
Geary County School District is making
counselors available at the schools where the four children attended.
The district issued a statement.
"Words cannot describe the pain we feel in
this moment," the statement said. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the
family for their loss, a loss that not only impacts us at school
district, but the entire county and state of Kansas as well."
Becky Bramlage was remembered as an advocate and champion for public education.
"She was proud that her children attended USD
475 and wanted to ensure that this school district was a pioneer in the
areas of technology and in academics," according to the statement.
"Becky was also a proponent of training for all board members and wanted
people to work collaboratively in order to set new trends and be
problem solvers for education."
The couple made "tremendous contributions" the district's foundation. The six "will be severely missed."
LAKE WALES -- The bodies of five family members from Kansas have been pulled from a plane crash in Lake Wales, but one child's body remains missing.
Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed the flight's manifest listed six passengers would be on board the plane. The flight's manifest showed two adults and four children were supposed to be on board the flight.
Investigators said pilot Ronald Bramlage, 45, his wife Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and their four children died when their Pilatus PC-12 crashed in the Tiger Creek Swamp area around 12:35 p.m. Thursday.
Judd said witnesses saw the plane dive to the ground at a 90-degree angle and a debris trail of two miles has been found. Witnesses told deputies they heard the plane sputtering, looked up and saw the plane flip and fly upside down.
Plane crashes in rural, swampy area of northeastern Polk County
The plane went down in an area that is not accessible by ground without specialty vehicles. Crews made their way to the area with four-wheelers. "It was immediately clear that there were no survivors of the crash," investigators said. "It is apparent that parts of the aircraft separated before the crash."
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane took off from Treasure Cay Airport in the Bahamas at 9:25 a.m. and landed at St. Lucie County International Airport at 10:15 a.m.
The plane left the airport at 12:05 p.m. and the first report of a plane down came in at 12:36 p.m. The plane was due to arrive in Junction City, Kansas at 3:41 p.m.
The track of the flight flew northwest over Polk County, took a hard turn back to the southeast, turned sharp to the left, flew over more rural area and crashed near Lake Kissimmee. Officials said the aircraft was traveling at approximately 26,000 feet when it first began experiencing trouble.
A woman identified as Barb said she saw the plane “twirling around” but she did not witness the plane crashing. "I didn’t know if the plane was doing acrobats,” she said, via phone. "It was awful.” There is an airport nearby. David Wine’s Airstrip Airport is located at 2605 Walk-in-Water Road in Lake Wales.
Emergency crews had to be lowered to the crash site by a sheriff's office helicopter. Officials said equipment became stuck trying to get back to the crash site in the rugged area the plane went down.
In calls we have obtained, a male caller relayed the crash scene to emergency dispatchers:
"He’s advising now black smoke and gas leaking, advised flames at the cockpit of the aircraft," the dispatcher said. Later, the grim reality of the crash set in. "There doesn’t appear to be any survivors," the dispatcher said. "They’re just working on putting out the fire now with the fire extinguisher.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the death investigation in this matter. The NTSB and FAA will be conducting investigations related the crash.
Additionally, the aircraft manufacturer and the engine manufacturer will be conducting investigations.
Investigators said the aircraft is owned by Roadside Ventures LLC of Junction City, Kansas. Bramlage, of Junction City, is the owner of Roadside Ventures LLC.
Photo Gallery: Deadly Lake Wales plane crash
“I didn’t know if the plane was doing acrobats,” she said, via phone. “It was awful.”
LAKE WALES -- The bodies of five family members from Kansas have been pulled from a plane crash in Lake Wales, but one child's body remains missing.
Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed the flight's manifest listed six passengers would be on board the plane. The flight's manifest showed two adults and four children were supposed to be on board the flight.
Investigators said pilot Ronald Bramlage, 45, his wife Rebecca Bramlage, 43, and their four children died when their Pilatus PC-12 crashed in the Tiger Creek Swamp area around 12:35 p.m. Thursday.
Judd said witnesses saw the plane dive to the ground at a 90-degree angle and a debris trail of two miles has been found. Witnesses told deputies they heard the plane sputtering, looked up and saw the plane flip and fly upside down.
Plane crashes in rural, swampy area of northeastern Polk County
The plane went down in an area that is not accessible by ground without specialty vehicles. Crews made their way to the area with four-wheelers. "It was immediately clear that there were no survivors of the crash," investigators said. "It is apparent that parts of the aircraft separated before the crash."
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane took off from Treasure Cay Airport in the Bahamas at 9:25 a.m. and landed at St. Lucie County International Airport at 10:15 a.m.
The plane left the airport at 12:05 p.m. and the first report of a plane down came in at 12:36 p.m. The plane was due to arrive in Junction City, Kansas at 3:41 p.m.
The track of the flight flew northwest over Polk County, took a hard turn back to the southeast, turned sharp to the left, flew over more rural area and crashed near Lake Kissimmee. Officials said the aircraft was traveling at approximately 26,000 feet when it first began experiencing trouble.
A woman identified as Barb said she saw the plane “twirling around” but she did not witness the plane crashing. "I didn’t know if the plane was doing acrobats,” she said, via phone. "It was awful.” There is an airport nearby. David Wine’s Airstrip Airport is located at 2605 Walk-in-Water Road in Lake Wales.
Emergency crews had to be lowered to the crash site by a sheriff's office helicopter. Officials said equipment became stuck trying to get back to the crash site in the rugged area the plane went down.
In calls we have obtained, a male caller relayed the crash scene to emergency dispatchers:
"He’s advising now black smoke and gas leaking, advised flames at the cockpit of the aircraft," the dispatcher said. Later, the grim reality of the crash set in. "There doesn’t appear to be any survivors," the dispatcher said. "They’re just working on putting out the fire now with the fire extinguisher.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the death investigation in this matter. The NTSB and FAA will be conducting investigations related the crash.
Additionally, the aircraft manufacturer and the engine manufacturer will be conducting investigations.
Investigators said the aircraft is owned by Roadside Ventures LLC of Junction City, Kansas. Bramlage, of Junction City, is the owner of Roadside Ventures LLC.
Photo Gallery: Deadly Lake Wales plane crash
LAKE WALES – Four people are confirmed dead in a small plane crash in Lake Wales, according to Polk County Fire Rescue officials.
Officials said four people were on board the Pilatus PC-12, which
crashed in the Tiger Creek Swamp area shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday.
The plane went down in an area that is not accessible by ground
without specialty vehicles. Crews are making their way to the area with
four-wheelers.
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane took off
from Treasure Cay Airport in the Bahamas, landed at St. Lucie
International Airport and took off for Junction City, Kansas.
The track of the flight flew northwest over Polk County, took a hard
turn back toward the southeast, turn sharp to the left, flew over more
rural area and crashed near Lake Kissimmee.
In calls obtained by Bay News 9, a male caller relayed the crash scene to emergency dispatchers:
“He’s advising now black smoke and gas leaking, advised flames at the
cockpit of the aircraft,” the dispatcher said. Later, the grim reality
of the crash set in. “There doesn’t appear to be any survivors,” the
dispatcher said. “They’re just working on putting out the fire now with
the fire extinguisher.”
Neighbor sees ‘plane was doing acrobats’
A woman identified as Barb said she saw the plane “twirling around” but she did not witness the plane crashing.
“I didn’t know if the plane was doing acrobats,” she said, via phone. “It was awful.”
There is an airport nearby. David Wine’s Airstrip Airport is located at 2605 Walk-in-Water Road in Lake Wales.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 950KA Make/Model: PC12 Description: PC-12, Eagle
Date: 06/07/2012 Time: 1634
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: LAKE WALES State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. LAKE WALES, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 6
# Crew: 0 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 5 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Cruise Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL (SO15) Entry date: 06/08/2012
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