Man Killed in Plane Crash Identified
The president of a Minnesota aviation service business was in the plane that crashed in a Wilton Center field.
Photos
The man killed in the Tuesday afternoon plane crash in a Wilton Center field was the president of a Minnesota aviation service business.
Larry Diffley, 74, was the sole occupant of the multi-engine Beech 58 that went down shortly after 2:30 p.m.
Diffley operated Bemidji Aviation Services in Bemidji, MN. According to the company's website, Diffley and another man took over the business "with three employees, their own Cessna 150 and the three 150's already in place at Bemidji Aviation" in 1970.
Diffley is listed as the company's president.
Employees of Bemidji Aviation Services declined to give their names or much information about the crash Tuesday evening. One said, "We are aware of the crash and we're working with the (National Transportation Safety Board) to obtain more details."
The six-seat, two-engine plane was registered to Bemidji Aviation Services.
The field where the plane crashed is on the southwest corner of Offner and Gougar roads. The plane went down about a mile from the surrounding roads, crashing within a half-mile of two houses to the north and to the south of the crash. The plane crashed about midway between Manhattan's two fire stations.
Elizabeth Isham Cory of the Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday night that it was not yet known where the plane took off from and where it was headed when it crashed.
Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.
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about time
3:59 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Well, now I know why the police were flying down Foxford. I am sorry sorry to hear it was a plane crash.
Brenda H
5:34 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The dead man was the only person aboard the multi-engine Beech 58, according to Elizabeth Isham Cory of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Kind of insensitive wording isnt it?!?!?!?!?!?
Jackie S.
7:39 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
How about, "the deceased male?"
Ron
8:45 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Regardless of word choice or selection, the end result does not change. It is much like praying, it accomplishes nothing but it makes you feel like you actually doing something.
Shannon
9:10 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Honestly,yes the wording could have been chosen better but the end result is the same.A man has passed away his family is going to be mourning and there is nothing that can change that situation.I feel bad for the man's family.May he rest in peace and may God be with his family in their time of sorrow.
Jamie
6:56 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Really .. How about perished ?
Arrianna
9:22 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
How about just stop nit picking and send thought/prayers/condolences to his family and be grateful the plane crashed in a field instead of any homes or buildings.
Ron
9:28 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Praying does not work, it only gives you a 'feeling' that you actually did something.
Arrianna
10:01 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Wow. What part of a man died here and his family is grieving do people not get? I don't personally believe in prayer but I do believe in respecting other peoples beliefs (as long as those beliefs don't harm others) I purposely listed "thought/prayers/condolences" as OPTIONS as in, people can choose to do whatever they believe in or do nothing all. Just saying this isn't the time or place for grammar correcting.
Jonathan GIblin
8:51 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
You know people pray because they have faith in Jesus. End of story. No one thinks god is going to feel like they did something because they prayed. Its a way of giving condolences to families that lost a loved one. Have a heart buddy. You may do things people dont agree with. Settlers came to this country and started it for freedom of religion.
GJ
2:41 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Some of the comments on here are so incredibly stupid. I read it often when I need a good chuckle for the day.
According to Ron, prayer doesn't work. Ron is the be all tell all about prayer. Whatever.
It's an unfortunate turn of events for the pilot, a sad time for the family, and yes, someone was watching over so that plane didn't crash and take any other lives.
d
3:29 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
As a scientist, I know prayer is good for humans as it allows time to regroup mentally as well as allow for release of hormnes. As a Catholic, I believe in God. I hold the family of the pilot in my prayers.
Flora Dora
7:38 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
The man who died, Larry Diffley, was a hero. He must have guided his plane away from the houses in the area.