Newlywed couple killed with their two dogs as plane crashes in snowstorm

29 November 2023 , 14:34

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The couple had been together for 18 years before their marriage in September (Image: Facebook)

A “charitable” newlywed couple and their two dogs have tragically died after their plane crashed in a snowstorm.

Allison Wheaton, 43, and Randy Strebig, 60, had taken off from Mason County Airport on Sunday in a fixed-wing, single engine aircraft to go and visit family - when the unthinkable happened. The plane came crashing down in a field and burst into flames when it hit the ground.

The couple were well known among the community where they lived, along with their dogs Bernadette and Jack who also died in the crash. Allison and Randy had recently married in September - after 18 long years of being together.

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Police were called to the scene at 10am before they searched the area in the blustery conditions. “The fire was extinguished quickly but the plane was totally destroyed and unfortunately two people have perished in the plane crash,” said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. There is as-yet no known cause behind the crash.

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Firefighters also had to tackle the blaze after the plane came crashing down (WPTA)

The International Seaplane Fly-in in Maine described the couple as “kind, compassionate and charitable” who would always be ready to “jump in at a moment’s notice to get things done”. The couple would fly out to Greenville from Indiana each year, according to the group. They were from Lake James in Indiana, and the plane came down in a field near Mason County Airport in Ludington, Michigan,

Wheaton was the Summit Equestrian Center’s executive director, which focussed on issues affecting US veterans and horse initiatives. This included a horse-riding therapy group to help veterans dealing with trauma and PTSD, called the Cavalry.

The couple were very well known in their local community and the flying community (Facebook)

Strebig, founder of a major construction business in Fort Wayne, was a keen barefoot skier and would engage in other extreme sports, including skydiving. One image shows Strebig carrying an elderly woman through water after he gave her a ride in his float plane.

In a statement, the Allen County Board of Commissioners said according to MailOnline: “The Allen County Board of Commissioners was saddened to hear about the tragic loss of two important Allen County figures – husband and wife, Randy Strebig and Allison Wheaton.

“Randy Strebig founded Strebig Construction 43 years ago. His locally owned and operated business has helped build Allen County's economy. Hiring locally and generating business revenues, helping local companies and organisations build and expand has positively impacted our region.

Police combed the fields around the crash in snowy conditions (WPTA)

“He was a great community partner and will be greatly missed,” the statement said. It added that Allison’s “broad smile, work ethic, genuine compassion for people and animals and dedication to former servicemen and women will not be forgotten”.

Commissioner Rich Beck said: “Both Randy and Allison were tremendous individuals. They were community-minded, caring, heartfelt. Allison built The Cavalry from nothing to become a program that helped vets in the dark side of their life realise that life is worth living. Her program was that impactful. It is our desire to see that it continues.”

Alex Croft