Sean McDonnell – Akron Beacon Journal

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to correct the name of the pilot, Peter Klapp.

The pilot killed when his plane crashed into a pond south of Wadsworth Municipal Airport on Friday morning has been identified as Peter Klapp, 74, of Canton.

Wadsworth police said a small plane, likely a single-engine, took off from the Wadsworth airport Friday and crashed in a nearby pond a little after 11 a.m.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ray Santiago said initial reports indicate Klapp was in contact with the tower prior to the crash and there may have been a mechanical failure. Klapp was the only occupant of the plane.

Santiago said initial calls were made to the Wadsworth Police Department. The crash was confirmed by the patrol’s aviation unit, which identified the plane in the pond from above.

Santiago said the plane was only in the air for about two to three minutes before crashing into the pond about 3 miles from the airport, between Rittman Road and state Route 94.

It was reported that people nearby said they heard an explosion, but Santiago said it is not clear whether people were reporting the sounds of the aircraft hitting the water.

A dive team responded and recovery efforts were underway around 12:30 p.m. Recovery operations were continuing around 6 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration also responded to the crash. 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/09/03/plane-crashes-near-airport-injuries-unknown-wadsworth/5714546001/