CAFB Instructor Pilot Dies In Texas Plane Crash

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An instructor pilot assigned to Columbus Air Force base is killed in a plane crash on Sunday evening in Abilene, Texas.

According to a news release from Columbus Air Force Base,  the pilot was United States Air Force Maj. Richard W. “Tracer” Schafer III, age 35.  Schafer and his brother  Matthew Schafer, 28, of Abilene died in the crash.

Local authorities say Victoria, 31, and Wyatt Schafer, 2,  survived the crash inside the single engine experimental plane.

Schafer was flying his private aircraft, licensed in Mississippi, while on
vacation with his family in Texas, according to the statement from CAFB.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

“This is a tragic event that affects not only Team BLAZE, but our community
partners both here and in Abilene,” reflects Col John Nichols, commander,
14th Flying Training Wing.  “Our thoughts and prayers are with Maj Schafer’s
family as they cope with this painful tragedy.”

Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available from
the NTSB.