
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 26, 1995                   TAG: 9505260066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WISE                                LENGTH: Short

WISE COUNTY CRASH KILLS 2

Two Virginia men were killed Thursday when their plane apparently developed engine trouble after takeoff, crashed in a pasture, struck a bull and caught fire, officials said.

The victims were identified as Robert Sanders, 42, of Wise, the pilot, and Donald Dean, 37, of Castlewood. State Police Trooper Dan Helton said they were burned beyond recognition, so the bodies were sent to Roanoke where a medical examiner will use dental records to confirm identities.

No one else was aboard the Beech Baron 55.

The bull, a prized stud that weighed about 1,600 pounds, was killed and buried in the pasture.

Sanders operated Friendship Ambulance of Wise and was an experienced pilot, Helton said. Dean worked for Thompson Litton Engineering in Wise, and was on a business trip to Richmond.

The plane burst into flames after crashing about 7:15 a.m. within sight of the Lonesome Pine Airport runway but did not break apart. Bob Spera of Liberty Flying Service at the airport said the crash occurred in a flat section amid hilly terrain.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

``At this time it appears to be engine trouble,'' Helton said.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB