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Father of American plane crash victim also killed in air disaster

The father of one of the four Americans killed when their charter plane crashed near Essendon Airport on Tuesday also died in a freak plane crash, his family has revealed.

Denelle Wicht, the younger sister of 70-year-old Texan Greg De Haven, said their father was a Marine Corps pilot who was killed during a training exercise in the early 1950s. Mr De Haven was six years old at the time.

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Essendon Airport reopens after fatal crash

Flights resumed at the privately-operated airport today as investigations into Tuesday's plane crash continues. (Video courtesy: ABC News 24)

"He was flying with another plane and all of a sudden the plane started going down and he never responded on his radio," Ms Wicht said. "They don't know for sure exactly what happened but it crashed into a river and he was gone."

Speaking to Fairfax Media from Minnesota, Ms Wicht said that despite losing his father in a plane crash her brother never had a fear of flying.

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She also revealed that Mr De Haven's widow, Rosemary, and the wives of the three other tourists killed when their light plane slammed into the DFO shopping centre first realised something was wrong when they heard about traffic delays caused by the crash.

"The wives were going to go shopping while the men went to go play golf and they knew something strange was going on because of the traffic and what was going on around the airport … they knew something was terribly wrong," she said.

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It is unknown whether the wives had accompanied their husbands to the airport or if they were stuck in traffic at the time.

The Beechcraft King Air crashed into the shopping centre shortly after taking off from Essendon Airport about 9am Tuesday. The other victims have been named as US tourists Russell Munsch, Glenn Garland and John Washburn. The pilot, Max Quartermain, was also killed. 

Ms Wicht said her sister-in-law and the other grieving wives were being "well taken care of."

"She said to me, 'We are four strong women who are supporting each other and holding each other up.'

"She said how much they appreciated the support from the consulate and that everyone is doing their best to help them. They so appreciate the kindness they've been shown there in Australia.

"She believes that my brother is in the hands of God and she can't wait to get home with the rest of the family, and with what's left of him."

Glenn Garland and Russell Munsch at Milford Sound in New Zealand.

Glenn Garland and Russell Munsch at Milford Sound in New Zealand. Photo: Facebook/@glenn.garland.77

Mr De Haven was a retired FBI agent who worked undercover early in his career and was later posted to a field office. He has three adult children and married Rosemary about six years ago after his wife died from cancer, Ms Wicht said. Mr De Haven had gathered with his children and grandchildren for the last time in Colorado at Christmas.

"His children right now are really struggling," Ms Wicht said. "They are in a lot of shock and finding it difficult to come to terms just yet."

Through tears, Ms Wicht said her sister-in-law had told her that she would be able to return to the US soon. "The coroner said this would all go fairly quickly so that's the good news," she said. "She's a gracious woman and she's taking this gracefully, as tragic as it is. They were so much in love."

John Washburn, from Texas, was among the victims of the Essendon Airport disaster.

John Washburn, from Texas, was among the victims of the Essendon Airport disaster. Photo: Facebook

It is unknown whether the victims' wives have travelled to the crash site.

Victorian Police Superintendent Michael Frewen said on Wednesday that the wives of the victims were being supported in Melbourne and had been asked to stay in the city to assist with investigations.

Ms Wicht said her older brother was enjoying Australia "so much" and remembered him as "a man's man, the kind of guy that was very charming, well liked by women as well as men".

"He was funny but reserved and this kind of outpouring would amaze him and I think he would be embarrassed by it. All of us deeply appreciate all of the concern. It has been so heartwarming and we were so surprised by the outpouring of love. " 

Victorian Police Superintendent Michael Frewen said police had a "key role" in maintaining the welfare of the victims' families.

"We are working closely with the US consulate and multiple victim support services. Senior-ranking representatives are with the [families] working through the difficult time with them," he said.




 

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