Fatal Gilford plane crash death of Robert W. Ashe Jr. – Obituary
In a tragic incident last month, Robert W. Ashe Jr. lost his life as his plane crashed into Lake Winnipesaukee. Despite clear skies and a gentle breeze, the pilot’s logbook revealed a lack of experience in night flying.
This week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary findings on the September 30th crash involving a Cessna 150K, resulting in the pilot’s untimely demise. Regrettably, no other passengers were on board.
The victim of this unfortunate crash, Robert W. Ashe Jr., aged 70, had recently moved from Connecticut to West Ossipee, making his home in the aviation community there.
According to Michael Eastman, a captain with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Ashe had intended to fly to the aviation community in West Ossipee but encountered engine troubles. In an effort to return for an emergency landing at Laconia Municipal Airport, the crash occurred.
The preliminary NTSB report outlined the sequence of events. Ashe had taken off from Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport in Providence at 6:10 p.m. on September 30th. Tragically, the crash happened at 7:42 p.m., merely four minutes into the flight, while he appeared to be preparing for landing on Laconia Airport’s runway 26.
The report details, “The aircraft continued along the downwind leg and executed a slight left turn while positioned over Lake Winnipesaukee. Subsequently, it entered a descending right turn before briefly ascending. Following this, it entered another descending right turn before losing radar contact.”