Two Pilots Die in Wright Flyer Crash

SPRINGFIELD — A crash during the test flight Wright “B” Flyer’s Silver Bird caused the deaths of two local pilots Saturday morning.

Pilots Mitchell Cary and Don Gum were killed on impact shortly after they announced they were making a forced landing. The volunteer pilots were flying with Phil Beaudoin's nonprofit organization, Wright "B" Flyer Inc., which uses Wright replica planes to promote Dayton, Ohio, as the birthplace of aviation.

Federal investigators say an announcement of what likely caused the crash could take up to eight months.

A memorial service or funeral has not yet been planned.