Florida Tech student ID'd as person killed after powerful winds flipped plane in Orlando
J.D. GallopA Florida Institute of Technology student was identified as the person killed earlier this month at the Orlando Executive Airport after wind gusts of 60 mph flipped a twin-engine plane he was in, university officials said.
The deadly incident was caused by a microburst as severe weather descended on the airport Sept. 1 as the plane – a Diamond DA-42 Twin Star – was waiting on the taxiway. A second person was injured, airport officials reported.
Investigators from the NTSB are investigating the incident involving the airplane.
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The Florida Tech student was identified as Alfa Ekele, a Nigerian national who was working on a master's degree in administration of applied aviation safety at the university’s College of Aeronautics. The incident was not related to Ekele's work at the school in Melbourne, university officials confirmed.
"Alfa was dear to many, and anyone who knew him was impacted by his faith and pursuit of God, genuine love for his family, contagious smile, generosity and impeccable work ethic," said Maureen Namukasa, a doctoral student in aviation sciences and Alfa's friend.
"He was a passionate pilot who excelled in all his classes and was on the path to working in civil aviation," she said.
Judith-Ann Jarrette, director of the airport, told media outlets that the twin-engine aircraft had taxied out on Runway 7 when winds from severe weather moving into the area flipped the aircraft upside down. The Orlando Fire Department responded to the site. A federal investigation is ongoing.
Ekele is survived by his wife, Precious Ekele, and two children. Florida Tech will hold a public memorial service for Ekele at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the All Faiths Center on campus.
J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.