Ethermac Exchange-Plane crash kills two near EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2024 on first day

Two people died after a plane crashed in a farm field about 2 miles south of an aviation convention in Oshkosh,Ethermac Exchange Wisconsin that commenced Monday

The crash was reported at Wittman Regional Airport at 12:15 p.m. Monday, the first day of the 71st EAA AirVenture Oshkosh convention, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. Police, fire crews and other first responders found the plane fully engulfed in flames at the convention grounds.

The sheriff’s office confirmed two occupants were on board the plane and both had died. Their names were being withheld pending notification of family.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by NTSB, which responded to the scene by 2 p.m. No further details were immediately released.

Plane was arriving to convention, EAA spokesperson says

The aircraft was a private airplane arriving to the event, and not affiliated with EAA AirVenture Oshkosh itself, an EAA Director of Communications Dick Knapinski told USA TODAY.

The crash occurred hours before any EAA AirVenture Oshkosh aircraft rides or shows were scheduled to begin, Knapinski said.

The week long convention includes a variety of daily aerobatics performances as well as multiple aircraft rides.

Field owner says 'It's not something you see everyday'

Brian Bradley, owner of the field where the crash happened, was just relaxing at home when all of a sudden his agronomist, Dennis Klumpers called him and told him to call 911.

Klumpers explained that he had just finished scouting the field for wheat control and insects, walked away and heard a pop sound, turned his shoulder to see flames.

"It's not something you see everyday," Klumpers said. "I didn't hear engine problems and it didn't sound like they were trying to land in the fields."

Klumpers said he didn't hear any pleas for help, nor did he see anyone trying to get out of the downed plane.

Bradley has lived on the lands for his entire life and has never experienced something like this before.

What is EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024?

The 71st EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is scheduled to take place July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport.

The convention hosts over 650,000 visitors and 10,000 aircrafts including 2,372 international visitors and 848 commercial exhibitors.

The 2024 event was going to introduce several new attractions including a pair of military demonstration teams and appearance by U.S. Air Force member and Miss America, Madison Marsh.

Contributing: Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern