San Luis Obispo resident dies in Virginia plane crash, officials and family say
A San Luis Obispo resident and Cal Poly mechanical engineering graduate died after his plane crashed in the Shenandoah National Park last week, according to park officials and family members.
Nicholas Hellewell was on a flying trip in his personal Piper PA-20 plane to visit family and friends around the United States, according to posts on his Facebook page.
“For those that know me this crazy adventure should be of no surprise to you,” Hellewell posted on June 25. “This summer I will be taking off on a cross country flying trip and trying to land at as many airports and states as possible. I’m sure I will be posting many photos along the way. Since all the family weddings and acro (dance) festivals have been canceled what better way to see all my friends and family than to fly.”
Hellewell, 35, was “on an adventure of a lifetime,” according to Leann Hellewell, who posted on Facebook about his death.
“Please treasure the time you spent with him,” Leann Hellewell wrote.
Hellewell’s plane crashed around 7 p.m. Aug. 31, Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, told the Culpeper Star-Exponent. Hikers found the wreckage of the plane at around 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Culpeper Star-Exponent reported.
His plane crashed near the Buck Hollow Trail in Rappahannock County, Virginia, within the boundaries of the Shenandoah National Park, according to park officials.
The crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration with assistance from the Virginia State Police and the NTSB.
