By Kelly Doran
Editor

The recent plane crash in Akron, Ohio, killed seven people that worked for PEBB Enterprises, the company developing 32 East Retail in Union Township.

The Hawker 125-700 aircraft crashed into a four-unit apartment building on Nov. 10, said National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Bella Dinh-Zarr in a video-recorded press briefing.

PEBB Enterprises, a company based in south Florida, is not speaking with the media at this time, but left a statement on the company’s website.

“Our hearts are broken this morning with the news of the tragic accident that took the lives of two principals and five employees of PEBB Enterprises. We are shocked and deeply saddened for the families, colleagues and friends of those who perished,” the statement reads.

Union Township Trustee John McGraw said that the administration and residents are supporting PEBB and wish them the best.

“Obviously we have a great partnership with PEBB,” McGraw said. He added that his thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families.

Some PEBB employees have set up a GoFundMe account to raise money to support the families of the victims at www.gofundme.com/xj9rr2jg.

The NTSB is investigating to determine the cause of the crash and any contributing factors, but there will not be a final determination for a year, said Terry Williams, NTSB public affairs officer.

Two crew members and seven passengers were killed when the plane crashed, Williams said.

The apartment building is located at the corner of Mogadore and Skelton Roads. The plane created a large fire when it crashed, according to a release from the city of Akron.

Investigators are looking at factors like the structure of the plane and witness marks on trees and power lines, Dinh-Zarr said.

“The airplane structure was predominately consumed by the fire and impact forces,” Dinh-Zarr said.

The plane first departed from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on Nov. 9. It flew to Minnesota, then Illinois, then Missouri and finally Cincinnati, where the crew and passengers stayed for the evening. On Nov. 10, the plane left Cincinnati, flew to Dayton and then to Akron, where it crashed just before 3 p.m., Dinh-Zarr said.

The NTSB would not release the names of the victims, Williams said.

PEBB Enterprises purchased the property across the street from Jungle Jim’s. The strip currently includes Gordmans, Inc. and Michaels. HomeGoods, ULTA Beauty, Five Below, Inc. and Kirklands have all signed leases for stores in the property.