A college student was killed in early September after a severe storm flipped a plane at a Florida airport, his university confirmed Tuesday.
The student, who was identified as Alfa Ekele, was in a Diamond DA-24 Twin Star as it descended at Orlando Executive Airport on Sept. 1. While the plane was making its descent, gusts of wind traveling at 60mph flipped the plane, killing Ekele and injuring one other person, according to Florida Today and a local Fox affiliate. (RELATED: Plane Snaps In Half During Wild Emergency Landing)
Florida Tech confirmed Tuesday that one of its students was killed earlier this month at Orlando Executive Airport after the airplane he was in flipped during a severe thunderstorm. https://t.co/ii2sAoGYie
— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) September 14, 2022
Severe storms were reportedly passing through Orlando on Sept. 1, including torrential rains, lightning and strong winds, Fox 35 Orlando reported. Conditions were so severe that a storm warning was issued in the airport’s area.
A second plane which was empty, reportedly flipped during the storm as well.
Ekele, hailed from Nigeria and was working toward his master’s degree in applied aviation safety at Florida Tech’s College of Aeronautics, according to Florida Today. He was the husband of Precious Ekele and father of two children.
“Alfa was dear to many, and anyone who knew him was impacted by his faith and pursuit of God, genuine love for his family, contagious smile, generosity and impeccable work ethic,” said Maureen Namukasa, a doctoral student in aviation sciences and Alfa’s friend, according to the outlet.