The Seattle Times has identified Philip Kibler, of Troy, N.Y., as the pilot of a Cessna Grand Caravan that went down in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State Sunday, killing him and nine skydivers. Searchers have recovered all ten bodies after initially locating seven. The Times also identifies seven of nine members of the Snohomish Skydive Club, all but one in their 20s, as Andy Smith, 20; Casey Craig, 30; Hollie Rasberry, 24; Michelle Barker, 22; Landon Atkin, 20; Cecil Elsner, 20; and Jeff Ross, 28, all of Washington State. Bill Kibler said his brother Phil, the pilot, was an accomplished microbiologist who changed careers to become a full-time pilot. “But we also knew his desire to fly was a life-affirming event,” said Bill Kibler. “Flying was Phil’s thing.” Kibler was described as a safety-conscious pilot. This was to be his last trip of the skydiving season before he returned home to New York.
All Ten Bodies Recovered From Caravan Crash
Key Takeaways:
- A Cessna Grand Caravan crashed in the Cascade Mountains, killing the pilot and nine skydivers.
- All ten bodies have been recovered from the crash site.
- The pilot, Philip Kibler, an accomplished microbiologist who became a full-time pilot, was described as safety-conscious, and this was his last trip of the skydiving season.
- Seven of the nine skydivers, all members of the Snohomish Skydive Club and mostly in their 20s, have also been identified.
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