Reported by: Richard Chiles
Photographed by: Terry Helmer
More information is becoming available about the pilots who died in Friday's crash.
Each one of these men very different, all united by a common love for aviation.
Until the last second, they did everything they could to keep as many people out of harm's way as they could.
Niels Harpsoe
The aircraft wreckage, which is safely away from houses, says a lot about Niels Harpsoe, according to people who knew the 65-year-old.
People who knew and flew with Harpsoe say he had a zest for life.
"[He was an] unbelievable man, everybody's best friend," said Dr. Tim Starrmann, who was in the flying club with the deceased pilots. "He and I flew on trips in the airplane that was involved."
Harpsoe was doing what he loved, living his life in the clouds, when his Beechcraft Bonanza fell from the sky.
Edward Hitchins
Marty Steer also describes her brother, Edward Hitchins, in soaring terms.
"He got his pilot's license at age 18," Marty said. "The first time I was ever in the air was with him."
Music and flying were Edward's passions. recently retired from P&G, the former teacher was spending more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
He was in the cockpit with David Woeste when all three lives ended suddenly.
David Woeste
31-year-old David Woeste from Anderson Township was the student pilot in the Cessna 172 with Edward Hitchens, which crashed into a Sharonville subdivision.
Woeste's family says he was a devoted Christian and the father of four.
Relatives also say he shared his skills of building his own business with an entrepreneurial program at Miami University.
Daniel Johnson represents the next generation of aviation.
The flight student says this tragedy reminds him to be focused, but hasn't made him apprehensive about taking to the skies.
"Seeing this accident will give me a new perspective to keep my eyes open, just making sure you know what your doing," Johnson said.
