Fond du Lac Co. Sheriff's officials identify pilot, passenger hurt when small plane crashed near airport

FOND DU LAC -- Officials with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office have identified a pilot and passenger hurt when a small plane crashed near the airport on Wednesday afternoon, August 3rd.

It happened around 12:15 p.m. on Esterbrook Road, south of Grove Street in Fond du Lac -- just southwest of the airport property.

The pilot has been identified by Sheriff's officials as 73-year-old Thomas Helm from Neenah.

The passenger has been identified by Sheriff's officials as 60-year-old David Plathe of Dedham, Massachusetts.

Sheriff's officials say an investigation has revealed Helm was serving as an instructor -- training Plathe to operate the aircraft. They were practicing landings and takeoffs at the Fond du Lac Airport and shortly after takeoff, they experienced engine failure.

Helm tried to return to the airport, but didn't have enough altitude and struck a power line before crashing into the edge of a farm field.

Helm was taken to St. Agnes Hospital and Plathe was flown from the scene by Flight for Life to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah.

The FAA and NTSB are conducting the remainder of this investigation.