FERRISBURGH — Vermont State Police have released the names of the four individuals who tragically lost their lives in Sunday’s plane crash near Basin Harbor Airport.
The victims have been identified as Paul Pelletier, 55, of Columbia, Connecticut; Frank Rodriquez, 88, of Lebanon, Connecticut; Susan Van Ness, 51, of Middletown, Connecticut; and Delilah Van Ness, 15, also of Middletown.
The initial response to the crash site was led by the City of Vergennes Fire Department, which had been incorrectly identified in an earlier report.
A preliminary investigation suggests that the party had traveled from Windham Airport in Connecticut, arriving at Basin Harbor for a brunch reservation.
They departed the restaurant after noon for their return flight to Connecticut.
The aircraft was last seen on the runway around 12:15 p.m.
Concerns arose after the plane did not return as scheduled.
Relatives alerted Connecticut authorities, leading to a collaborative search involving multiple agencies.
Cellphone location data eventually pinpointed the aircraft’s last known location near the airstrip.
Vermont troopers, along with Middlebury Police and City of Vergennes Fire Department, found the downed plane early Monday in a nearby wooded area, confirming there were no survivors.
Autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death will be conducted at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington.
As the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board lead the crash investigation, Vermont State Police continue to probe the deaths.
Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
