22-year-old Swedish flight instructor Viktoria Theresie Izabelle Ljungman was up in the air with two students when the tragic incident occurred.
Ljungman had been teaching a lesson with Oluwagbohunmi Ayomide Oyebode, 18, and another unidentified 18-year-old student pilot.
The accident occurred near Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Virginia.
Oyebode was operating the single-engine Cessna 172 plane when he caused it to stall mid-air just after taking off.
Ljungman was a flight instructor and a licensed commercial pilot who worked for Rick Aviation, a company partnered with Hampton University’s aviation degree program- both 18-year-olds were in the class.
An investigation with State Police, along with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed that: “During takeoff, a student pilot attempted to pull the craft up at too steep an angle.
“The plane stalled in the air, in which the aircraft dove into, and crashed into the embankment/ditch.”
Officials say the plane reached an altitude of about 100 feet before veering off course and crashing.
Ljungman’s family said in a statement: “Our beloved daughter, sister, and grandchild Viktoria Ljungman unexpectedly and tragically passed away last Thursday.
“She was not even 22 and a half years old, and we are devastated by this enormous loss. To know Viktoria was to love her, and not just for her family.
“Everyone who interacted with Viktoria admired her kindness and intelligence, and respected her tremendous dedication and work ethic.”
They also shared that Ljungman had always dreamed of being a pilot, and they ‘deeply appreciate’ Hampton University for allowing her to study on a scholarship in the U.S.
Oyebode and the other 18-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries and were transported to Riverside Regional Hospital and later flown to Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital in Richmond.
Chilling air traffic control audio captured the final communications from the aircraft before it crashed into the wooded area.
According to audio from livaATC, what is believed to be Ljungman’s voice can be heard responding to the controller.
She said: “Cleared for takeoff, 97883. Caution, wake turbulence.”
This is a warning of potential turbulence created by the wings of a preceding aircraft.
Moments later, someone is heard saying, ‘We got a crash!’
“883, are you OK?” the controller says. “Are you on this frequency?”
Rescue personnel were then dispatched to the scene after no response was heard.
There was no indication of whether wake turbulence was involved in the crash.
