(Scypre.com) – New information has emerged regarding the tragic crash of a private plane that occurred in the mountains of Virginia. Investigators are diligently examining the incident, especially considering the plane’s unauthorized entry into restricted airspace in Washington, D.C. The crash claimed the lives of four individuals on board, and here are the details about each victim.
Adina Azarian, aged 49, was a renowned luxury real estate broker based in New York. Alongside her, her 2-year-old daughter named Aria also perished in the accident. John Rumpel, Azarian’s adoptive father, expressed his profound love for his daughter and grandchild, stating that he cherished them more than any other human being.
Rumpel and his wife Barbara adopted Azarian when she was 40 years old after a chance encounter. Azarian had spent her early years in Connecticut and New Hampshire under the care of her biological mother. The couple found Azarian reminiscent of their late daughter Victoria, who had tragically passed away in a scuba diving incident in 1994. In honor of their departed child, they named an assisted living home Victoria’s Landing in Melbourne.
Seven years after her adoption, Azarian became pregnant with Aria through in-vitro fertilization. Sadly, the crash claimed their lives as well. Evadnie Smith, Azarian’s nanny, aged 56, was another victim of the tragic accident. Affectionately referred to as “Nanny V” by the family, Smith resided in Azarian’s East Hampton residence and frequently accompanied the mother and daughter during their travels. She leaves behind a son in Jamaica.
The pilot of the ill-fated plane was Jeff Hefner, identified by Rumpel as an exceptionally skilled aviator with extensive experience. Rumpel, who is also a pilot and owns multiple aircraft, spoke highly of Hefner, stating that he wouldn’t have entrusted his daughter and grandchild to him if he wasn’t confident in his abilities.
Hefner embarked on a career in aviation over four decades ago, starting as a crop duster before joining Southwest Airlines. After retiring from the airline, he began flying private planes. Hefner is survived by his wife and three children, according to Dan Newlin, an attorney heading a Florida law firm where Hefner worked as a flight captain.
The Cessna Citation aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departing from Tennessee on its way to Long Island. Unexpectedly, it altered its course and flew directly over Washington, D.C., prompting U.S. military fighter jets to intercept the plane midair while causing a sonic boom.
The F-16 pilots reported observing the pilot slumped over the controls and receiving no response from anyone aboard the aircraft. Consequently, experts believe that a potential loss of pressurization in the cabin may have caused occupants to lose consciousness. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.