84-year-old dead after glider crashes near Caesar Creek State Park

WARREN COUNTY — An 84-year-old man is dead after his glider crashed near Ceaser Creek State Park on Monday.

The crash was reported around 1:20 p.m. in the area of the Caesar Creek Soaring Club on Elbon Road, which is around 10 minutes from the state park, according to OSHP.

An initial investigation found that a 200 Alexander GmbH & CO Ash 26 E Glider, operated by Dieter S. Schmidt, 84, Springboro, was being towed by a 1976 Piper PA-23-235 fixed-wing single-engine plane.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Star Columbus NHL player, brother killed on eve of sister’s wedding
• ‘Shocked and saddened;’ Reactions pour in after death of Columbus Blue Jackets star, brother
• Wave goodbye to checks; they could soon be a thing of the past

As Schmidt became airborne, his plane separated from the tow plane.

Moments later, the glider nosedived into the runway, according to OSHP.

Schmidt was pronounced dead on the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by OSHP, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

We will continue to follow this story.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

This is a developing story and we will provide updates as we learn more.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]