Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Location: Logan, Utah
Accident Number: WPR21FA243
Date and Time: June 26, 2021, 20:39 Local
Registration: N62EF
Aircraft: FERACA EDWARD M SEAREY LSX
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On June 26, 2021, at 2039 mountain daylight time, a Searey LSX airplane, N62EF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Logan, Utah. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
A witness reported that the airplane approached what he described as a canyon, or “bench” area above the property and turned right 180° toward terrain. He stated that although the bank angle was not excessive, it was more aggressive than required for a standard rate turn, presumably to avoid terrain. As the airplane rolled out, now on a heading of about 170°, the right wing and nose dropped. It appeared that the pilot was attempting a recovery, when the left wing dropped, and the airplane impacted a house.
The wreckage was secured for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: FERACA EDWARD M
Registration: N62EF
Model/Series: SEAREY LSX
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLGU,4454 ft msl
Observation Time: 19:51 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C /8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 350°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.786751,-111.778 (est)
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
Don Gerszewski
Donald Gregory Gerszewski
June 17, 1952 ~ June 26, 2021 (age 69)
On June 26th, 2021, Don Gerszewski, 69, took off for what would be his last solo flight here on this earth. Don spent his entire career as an airline pilot training for unexpected events. He was calm, calculated, and meticulous in everything he did in life, but especially flying. In what can only be explained as divinely orchestrated conditions, Don was called back to his heavenly home through the wind, in the sky where he spent so much of his life. The way Don lived his life was proof that he never viewed death as the end, but rather as a gateway to progression. How fitting that his Heavenly Father would call him home in one of the places where he felt closest to Him. Don passed away quickly at the scene of the accident in North Logan, UT, in the presence of his son Scott and surrounded by close friends who witnessed the event.
Donald Gregory Gerszewski was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 17, 1952 to Richard J. Gerszewski and Ida Lorraine Torkelson. As the son of a naval aviator, Don lived in Hawaii for the first two years of his life, then moved to Virginia for a short time before settling in Bloomington, Minnesota for the remainder of his childhood. Don was fascinated by flight from a young age and spent much of his early years immersed in aviation as his father’s career transitioned from being a Captain in the U.S. Navy to the primary operations inspector (POI) for the FAA over worldwide operations of Northwest Airlines. In an interesting circle of events, near the end of Don’s airline career he recounted flying many of the routes from the US to Asia that his father negotiated and managed decades earlier while working for the FAA.
Don graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970 and shortly after began working as a ramp agent at the Minneapolis airport. He would often park at the end of the runway to watch the arriving and departing aircraft and would later share that those experiences solidified his aspirations for becoming an airline pilot.
In 1971, Don moved to Utah to ski “the greatest snow on earth.” He attended his BYU classes at night so he could ski during the day. During that time, Don’s lifelong conviction to faith led him to read a Book of Mormon that a friend gave him. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1972 alongside his brother Jim and best friend Larry Kacher. Shortly after, he served a French-speaking mission in Papeete, Tahiti from 1973-1975.
After his mission, Don transferred to USU to study aeronautical engineering and met Marnae Silcox. They were married on July 18, 1979 in the Manti, Utah temple. Don and Marnae moved to Wichita, Kansas after their wedding where Don worked for Beechcraft as an engineer on the King Air family of aircraft. During their seven years in Wichita, they welcomed their first two children, Marissa and Aaron. In 1986 Don was hired as a pilot by Delta Air Lines in Atlanta, Georgia. Their daughter, Erika, was born there in 1989 and shortly after, the family moved to Cache Valley where they had their son Scott in 1993.
Don flew for Delta Air Lines for 31 years, retiring at age 65 in 2017 as Captain on the Boeing 777. Throughout his career, he flew to nearly every destination serviced by Delta, but especially enjoyed his trips to Sydney and Tel Aviv. After his retirement, Don flew alongside his son, Scott, as a corporate pilot for the Wasatch Group. Together they had numerous once-in-a-lifetime experiences and enjoyed strong friendships and associations with everyone in the Wasatch family. Aside from work, aviation was one of Don’s greatest passions and a hobby he shared with his two sons, Aaron and Scott. In addition to inspiring his sons to become pilots themselves, he also influenced countless others to pursue a similar career path.
Don’s personality was the essence of optimism and was present even during the most challenging of times. His optimism worked in concert with an insatiable curiosity for life and zeal for adventure and became thematic for Don’s exploration of the world and its many cultures. Whether it was abroad or in his own neighborhood, Don’s greatest joy seemed to come from learning about and understanding another person’s own life experience. His level of intrigue was irrespective of a person’s station in life as Don was equally captivated by the most humble and the most famous and successful individuals. Don had a gift of genuinely listening to others and making them feel cared for and important.
In fatherhood Don was in his element. He instilled his love for worldwide travel and adventure in his family from a young age and recognized its importance in shaping one’s character. Don loved sharing his favorite hobbies with his kids in the great outdoors, whether it was biking, skiing, boating, hiking, or running. Even in his retired years, his kids had a hard time keeping up with him! He was known for being ever-present and available to his children, grandchildren and sons- and daughters-in-law. He was deeply involved in nearly every facet of his kids’ lives and was a steady example of a caring father. He is remembered for unabashed and practical advice that has guided his family through all stages of life. He took his role as a provider seriously and fulfilled it with foresight and wisdom beyond his years.
Aside from his unassuming example, Don was a mentor to many around him, but especially in his church service. He dedicated many years to serving in bishopric and high council callings in the Logan East Stake. Some of his fondest and most valued interactions and relationships came from his time serving as a bishop in the USU 51st single student ward. In his journal written at age 20, Don committed to dedicating his life to his Savior, serving Him in all of his words and actions. He remained true to this commitment and was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ throughout his life.
Don is survived by his wife Marnae Silcox and their four children Marissa (Daniel Odell), Aaron (Alexis Walk), Erika (Nicholas Potter), and Scott as well as his brother, Jim (Sunni) and his six grandchildren that were his pride and joy. He is preceded in death by his sister and her husband, Suzanne and Kent Burke, parents Richard and Lorraine, and nephew Jonny Burke.
A celebration of life reception for Don will be held on Wednesday, July 7th, from 6pm-8pm at the Lundstrom Park 3rd Ward building located at 1260 N 1600 E in Logan, Utah. The funeral will begin Thursday, July 8th at 12pm at the same location, with a short viewing prior from 10:30am -11:30am.
Funeral services will be streamed live on lindquistmortuary.com by scrolling to the bottom of Don’s obituary. A recorded version will also be available shortly afterwards via the same link. Interment will be at North Logan Memorial Park, 2075 E 2500 N, North Logan, UT.
In lieu of flowers, please take the time to record your memories of Don and send them to don.gerszewski.memories@gmail.com so his legacy can be recorded for his children and grandchildren.
The family of a man killed when his single-engine plane crashed into a house in North Logan on Saturday has identified him as Don Gerszewski.
The Gerszewski family shared the following statement, written Sunday, through Cache County Victim Services:
“With profound sadness, we say farewell to our husband, father and grandfather in this mortal life. He was our rock. A kind, loving friend and steady example to all who knew him.
“As a second-generation pilot with nearly five decades of aviation experience, Don
was responsible for safely flying hundreds of thousands of people to their destinations around the world throughout his career. He was competent, cautious, and thorough with everything he pursued in life.
“We recognize that unforeseen conditions and a divine influence that we do not fully comprehend resulted in a tragic accident yesterday. We are comforted by our faith in God and His eternal plan, knowing there is a purpose that transcends time and our limited understanding.
“We also take solace in knowing that he left us doing what he loved, and that he knew how much he is loved by everyone around him. Blue skies and bright horizons until we meet again.”
Gerszewski’s aircraft, a SeaRey LSX kit plane, crashed into a roof near 2300 Meadowlark Lane at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. According to police and firefighters, no one was in the home at the time, but Gerszewski was dead when first responders arrived.
According to witness reports, Gerszewski’s son, a pilot himself, witnessed the accident and was among the first to climb onto the rooftop.
An online profile for Gerszewski states that he was a pilot for Delta Air Lines for more than 30 years, and a pilot and program manager for Beechcraft for 7 years before that. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s in aviation.
First responders, including North Logan Fire Department’s technical rescue team, worked for six hours at the site securing the plane, documenting the crash before federal investigators could arrive, and extricating Gerszewski, according to NLFD Assistant Chief Craig Humphreys.
“A construction crane was called in to help stabilize the plane while we were able to extricate the victim,” Humphreys said.
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration examined the site on Sunday, after which the aircraft was released to be recovered to a secure site, according to NTSB Air Investigator Fabian Salazar. Data collection is ongoing in the investigation, Salazar said, adding that at this point any information on possible causes would be speculation.
Typically, the NTSB will release a preliminary report on incidents like this in about two weeks. Final reports, including probable cause information, may not come out for a year or more, Salazar said.
On Monday evening, the city of North Logan advised people to stay out of the crash site.
“Out of respect for the deceased and their family, please avoid the site of the recent plane crash,” and email from the city to residents states. “The site is a safety hazard and trespassers may be prosecuted.”
Investigators are still collecting statements from witnesses, either through local law enforcement, Salazar said, or by emailing witness@ntsb.gov.
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