Ohio Plane Crash Kills Steel Magnate Jim Weller, Family, Crew

A tragic plane crash in Ohio claimed the lives of six people, including James "Jim" Weller, CEO of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., and four members of his family, as well as the pilot and co-pilot. The twin-engine Cessna crashed just seven minutes after taking off from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, crashing in a heavily wooded area about two miles west of the airport. The victims included Weller, his wife Veronica, their son John, and John's wife Maria, who were traveling to Montana for vacation. The pilot, Joseph Maxin, a former assistant prosecutor who pursued aviation, and co-pilot Timothy Blake also perished. First responders faced challenges reaching the crash site due to dense woods but eventually recovered all six bodies. The crash is noted as the deadliest in the Howland Township area, with local officials and businesses mourning the profound loss to the community and the steel industry.