Two Die in Plane Crash in Centre County

A small, experimental aircraft crash-landed at the University Park Airport eight days ago.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers confirmed two fatalities in the crash.

Late Thursday the pilot was identified as Gary Orner, of White Oak, Pa.

Doctor Robert Arffa’s identity was confirmed Friday through dental records.

The small plane, a Piper Navajo owned by Washington, Pa. -based Aero National Inc., left the Washington County Airport in South Franklin about 7:30 a.m. and crashed less than an hour later as it approached the airport, which is operated by Penn State University. Barns Lane remains closed except to local traffic as the investigation continues.

The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

University spokeswoman Heather Robbins said smoke was coming from the aircraft as it approached about 8:20 a.m. Thursday, but tower crews got no response while warning the pilot.

An investigator says it’s possible the plane’s engines could be taken to the airport this weekend for closer examination. An NTSB report said a September 2012 accident caused damage to the plane’s air-frame at the time, noting the plane bounced on the runway during takeoff to avoid an air collision with geese that threatened to shatter the cockpit window.

Aircraft rescue and local fire and emergency personnel quickly arrived on scene and secured the crash site.

The crash according to officials happened at 8:30 Thursday morning. The four impacted flights were all noncommercial flights. Two incoming flights were diverted and two outgoing flights were delayed during the closure.