BY ROBERT SANCHEZ and MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A Beechcraft Bonanza flown by Dr. John K. Krieg crashed into a Batavia Twp. yard.
(Tony Jones photo)
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A Wyoming doctor who died when his single-engine plane crashed early Saturday lost a colleague five years earlier who was flying a similar kind of plane.
Orthopedic surgeon John K. Krieg, 57, died in Saturday's crash. His Beechcraft Bonanza slammed into the ground and slid to a stop at the intersection of Apple and Judd roads. A 2-foot hole with the propeller sticking out marked the spot of impact.
In 1993, Dr. Krieg's then-colleague Edward Zenni Jr., 62, and Dr. Zenni's son-in-law, Michael Schill, 35, were killed when the double-engine Beechcraft Bonanza they were flying crashed into a hillside near Hazard, Ky.
Saturday's accident brought back painful memories for the Zenni family.
"I think it's been difficult for (my mother)," said Edward Zenni III, after learning of Dr. Krieg's death.
"She seemed reflective. Sad. She was sorry to see one of my father's associates die in the same way," he said.
As investigators sifted through the wreckage of Saturday's crash, gauges, carpeting and papers left a trail showing where the plane scraped across a paved road and into a lawn.
Authorities are unsure what caused the accident but will review radar and voice-communication tapes. Fog was heavy, neighbors said.
As news of the crash spread, Dr. Krieg's patients called Franciscan Hospital in Mount Airy where he operated, offering support and concern.
Dr. Krieg meant a lot to his patients, said Karen Kuhn, manager of public relations for the hospital. She said the doctor was well-liked and well-respected.
The plane made little noise as it fell, and many residents said they did not see or hear it.
"The dogs were barking, but I didn't think anything of it," said Steve Foster, on whose property the plane landed. "I came outside a few minutes after it hit, and I couldn't believe it was out there."
At 7:15 a.m., Dr. Krieg left Hamilton-Fairfield Airport for Clermont County Airport. Air-traffic controllers in Clermont County gave him clearance to land, but he aborted his approach and disappeared from radar at 7:38 a.m.
Stan Faske of the Cincinnati FAA office looks at one of the plane's seats.
(Tony Jones photo)
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Dr. Krieg's plane came to a stop amid several trees, 20 yards from Mr. Foster's home and a full propane tank.
The plane did not catch fire. Robert Herbert was one of the first neighbors at the scene. As he left his house, he heard an engine and then the crash.
He went to a neighbor's house and called 911.
"All I could hear was the shredding of sheet metal, but it wasn't as loud as you'd think," said Mr. Herbert."Then, it was quiet. It's kind of eerie."
Franciscan Hospital officials expressed their sympathy and called Dr. Krieg "a good friend and excellent surgeon who was dedicated to the healing ministry."
A statement from the hospital said Dr. Krieg "devoted many years to the hospital. He was a past president of the medical staff and he also served on the medical executive committee. He will be sorely missed." Rachel Melcer contributed.
