Local Teacher, Coach Killed In Small Aircraft Crash

CENTERBURG, Ohio—A local high-school basketball coach was killed after his experimental aircraft crashed in Knox County Tuesday night.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS on this developing story.

Lawrence R. Eberst, 54, of Delaware died when his single-engine aircraft crashed in a field near Chapman Airfield in Centerburg at about 8 p.m., according to the Ohio State Patrol Mount Gilead post.

Officials said Eberst had taken off from Chapman Airfield when his aircraft, an Antares MA 33, went down.

Eberst was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Patrol said Eberst was an experienced and licensed pilot who had logged thousands of hours and had been flying for more than 20 years.

While it remained unclear why the aircraft crashed, it was clear Ebert will be missed by many both in and out of Delaware where he lived and worked.

Eberst taught elementary physical education in the Delaware City Schools district, primarily Carlisle Elementary, since 1977.

He also coached boys basketball at Delaware Hayes High School for the last 15 years, according to the district. He was the head boys varsity basketball coach.

Last season, Eberst coached alongside his eldest son Chris while his son Kyle played on the team.

“He touched a lot of lives. He helped a lot of young men grow up and be very, very successful,” district Superintendent Doug Behnke said.

Behnke said Eberst often talked about his love for flying.

“Real easy to get a long with, hard worker, very dedicated. When you think of a top-notch teacher, he comes to mind,” Behnke said. “He’ll be missed.”

“Devastating, really. Such a good guy. Everyone knew him,” student Jordan Carlson said.

Eberst was Jordan’s phys ed teacher from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Carlisle Elementary will provide counselors for the grieving community.

Eberst’s family includes his wife and his two sons.

An OSP report called the crashed aircraft an “experimental aircraft.“ Click here for a look at a similar aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it considers the aircraft to be a “homemade, light, sport aircraft.”

OSP said Eberst did not build the aircraft but bought it from someone in Maryland.

The FAA said The National Transportation Safety Board currently was handling investigation.

Initial reports indicated Eberst crashed in a hang-gliding accident.

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