James E. Rohlf dies in fatal Monticello car crash

James E. Rohlf dies in fatal Monticello car crash

Fatal Monticello car crash death of James E. Rohlf

The individual who passed away in the recent aircraft accident on Monday afternoon near Monticello has been identified as James E. Rohlf, aged 69, residing in rural Bennett. According to available records, Mr. Rohlf was the owner of East Iowa Aviation Inc., which is based in Bennett.

The involved airplane, which was a 1958 T-28B model, was reported down by Monticello Aviation at approximately 2:49 p.m. According to reports, this company received information from another pilot in the vicinity who had spotted the aircraft and was maneuvering to assist emergency personnel in reaching the site, with first responders arriving at 3:06 p.m.

Initial examination of the incident indicates Mr. Rohlf took off from the Monticello Airport and was flying in a southern direction. Shortly after becoming airborne, Mr. Rohlf communicated over the radio about engine difficulties and stated his intention to return to the airport. Less than a minute after this communication, he reported he was descending into a field of beans.

A different aircraft heading towards the Monticello Regional Airport intercepted the emergency radio calls and pinpointed the crash location. This site was situated roughly three-quarters of a mile northeast of the intersection of 170th Street and 140th Avenue and one-quarter mile away from 140th Avenue, all within a rural area of Monticello. The crash point was also about two miles south of the airport itself.

The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office are proceeding with their investigations. Authorities mentioned in a news release that the aircraft has been retrieved and will be moved out of state for additional examination.