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Four Dead: Plane Carrying Young People to Christian Youth Rally Crashes in Kansas

Four Dead: Plane Carrying Young People to Christian Youth Rally Crashes in Kansas

KWQC-TV

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A small airplane that crashed in southeast Kansas was carrying five people with connections to Oral Roberts University to a Christian youth rally in Iowa, a friend of three of the victims said Saturday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that four of the passengers died in Friday’s crash and one was badly injured. Those killed were identified Saturday as pilot Luke Sheets, 23, of Ephraim, Wis.; Austin Anderson, 27, of Ringwood, Okla.; Garrett Coble, 29, of Tulsa, Okla.; and Stephen Luth, 22, of Muscatine, Iowa.

Hannah Luce, 22, of Garden Valley, Texas, was critically injured and admitted to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. Luce, a recent Oral Roberts graduate, is the daughter of Ron Luce, a trustee at the school and the founder of Teen Mania Ministries, which was sponsoring this weekend’s Acquire the Fire rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the twin-engine Cessna 401 went down around 4:30 p.m. Friday northwest of Chanute, Kan. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said the eight-seat plane caught fire after the crash.

“The plane lost contact with air traffic control after getting permission to descend to a lower altitude,” Knudson said. “After that, there was no further communication.”

Brooke Ninowski, who recently graduated from Oral Roberts, said she had been friends with Anderson for about two years — he was her brother’s roommate for a semester. She said they also had a few classes together.

Ninowski said she also knew Luth and Sheets through school, noting that Luth had dated one of her best friends.

“They were guys who stuck to their morals and it showed through their character, and how they treated people,” she said. “They thought of others first. I don’t know if the reports are true about Austin, that he might have pulled Hannah out of the wreckage, but that wouldn’t surprise me in any way.”

Sheets, Coble and Luth were killed at the scene, while Anderson died at a hospital in Wichita just before 5 a.m. Saturday, the Kansas Highway Patrol said.

“They were going to an Acquire the Fire event run by Teen Mania Ministries,” she said. “They’re put on in various cities, Christian youth rallies where young people come together and learn about God.”

On Saturday, Oral Roberts President Mark Rutland issued a statement asking the university community to pray for Luce and remember those who were killed. He said Luth, Sheets and Anderson were recent graduates, and Coble was a former business instructor at the school.

“The entire ORU community grieves for the families of the ORU graduates who lost their lives in this tragic plane accident,” Rutland said. “May God grant them peace and they reflect on the precious lives that were so dear to their hearts. We continue to pray for those who are recovering.”

Comments (42)

  • brian8793
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:12pm

    Maybe it was a drone attack. Wait, no, they were white, not brown people. The U.S. military only murders brown people by drone atacks!

    Report Post » brian8793  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:48pm

    God bless these good & trusted servants. I pray that God’s mercy & love rain down on their family & friends.

    Report Post »  
  • yippeya
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 7:13am

    you are a coward and a pig

    Report Post » yippeya  
  • WARLIKEONE
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:55am

    You Sir have no honor…….lucky this is not face to face cause i do believe i would have to be the tool that God would use to slap you! Your ignorance shows.

    Report Post » WARLIKEONE  
  • WARLIKEONE
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:45am

    I knew Austin Anderson…….He was SSgt in the United States Marine Corps. He did save that girls life. He will be greatly missed. SEMPER FI my brother!

    Report Post » WARLIKEONE  
  • Donttredonme
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:34am

    Good Obama is crap

    Report Post » Donttredonme  
  • anointedma
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:32am

    Through all of this life,We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus,who loves us…We will blink our eyes and we’ll walk into the next“room”and forever be with them and our Beloved LordJesus

    Report Post »  
  • Rick16803
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:53pm

    Yeah, the “ almighty” also has killed thousands of Obama voters the pat 3 years in Car wrecks too. Not to mention all those inner city Obama voters that shoot each other to death each dayas well.

    Report Post »  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:46pm

      Rick: No. The Almighty, Lord God, has not killed thousands. Bearing false witness against God Himself?

      Report Post »  
  • soldierofthecross
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:18pm

    We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8. That’s why we live for Him.

    Report Post »  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:06pm

    Very Sad

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 6:33pm

    …
    Why does it seem like the only planes that fall out of the sky, are the ones carrying good people?
    Plane crashes never have anyone like Hitler or Bin Laden on board.

    Young Christians, doing God’s work, killed in the prime of life. So sad.
    May God comfort their families and friends.

    Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 7:43pm

      First my condolences to the famlie s. They did not die they went home to be with the Lord. God was with them. It is appointed unto man once to die , we have an appointment with God . One day we will be reunited with our loved ones.

      Report Post »  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:39pm

      Because there are far more good people than Hitlers and Bin Ladens. The probability is therefore far greater that good people will die in tragic accidents than the few bad ones.

      Report Post »  
  • captain d
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 3:22pm

    I would definitely have my prayers said before boarding a light aircraft with a 23 year old pilot. The takeoff isn’t too bad but I would really tighten up come landing time. My only experience with light aircraft has been for something to jump out of (some 15 of 105 funjumps)but my experience with young inexperienced pilots ( during 4400 hours as a navigator) has been less than outstanding.

    Report Post »  
  • elvisroy0000
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:13am

    another thing i am sick of is these people on google plus posting themselves having sex dont post yourself nude on google plus learn from the example of these 4 who died in this plane crash

    Report Post » elvisroy0000  
  • macpappy
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:49am

    A sad moment, I hope the families of these young folks can find some comfort in thier religion.
    these kind of incidents should not be used to debate one religious attitudes.

    Report Post » macpappy  
  • BruceB
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:05am

    Where was Christ? Same place he will be when you die. On the cross covering your sins with his blood.

    Jesus is not still on the cross. He is a live and that is what separates him from the false Gods worshiped on this planet.

    Report Post »  
  • AverageBear
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 8:25am

    I know the family of one of those that passed. I believe that the world lost a few good people today. I’m going to try to do something a little extra to make up for their loss.

    Report Post » AverageBear  
    • Lois150
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 10:27am

      AVERAGEBEAR ~ Please let the family know that our hearts are heavy. Although you can never make up for their loss, they will be comforted by anything you reach out and do for them. When mother nature sends her wrath of death, disease and/or destruction, Father God sends His love through people like you. Many will reach out in ways they never thought of before. From that, the family will be able to draw strength, encouragement and healing for the days ahead.

      TOLLERS ON THIS SITE ~ “Where was Jesus?” He was right there to welcome His children into the kingdom of His Father. You see, He had gone before them to prepare a place after he came here to make sure that they knew the way. There is no greater joy in life than knowing God and feeling His presence. I have personally experienced this joy. I also see the pain in the world and witness the constant attacks against Him. Again I am able to feel joy because I believe this world is only temporary. You try to be a stumbling block, but I use you as a stepping stone on my path to the Kingdom. Because Christ is the light of that path, you too are welcome to join us in the journey anytime you’re ready. He can wait forever. The problem is, you can’t.

      Report Post » Lois150  
    • anointedma
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:25am

      It is a sad coinsidence that the Luce girl lives on the same land that Brother Keith Green and others died in a plane crash in 1983…Her dad bought the land, in Lindale ,Texas, from Keith’s wife and the Last Days Ministries,after Keith died..”.I break the curse of premature death,in the Mighty name of Jesus!No more,in Jesus’ name…Amen”

      Report Post »  
  • JohnLarson
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 5:53am

    Where was Jesus on this? I’m sure they prayed as the plane went down.

    Report Post »  
    • IMCHRISTIAN
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 7:02am

      Faith

      My hearts and prayers are for the families and friends and for the injured.

      Report Post »  
    • Zoe
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 7:17am

      @ J_L Christ already addressed that. Reread the chapter.

      Report Post » Zoe  
    • Watchingtheweasels
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 8:43am

      “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.”

      Isaiah 57:1

      Report Post »  
    • tradexpertbuysell
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 8:49am

      @ JOHNLARSON

      Where was Christ? Same place he will be when you die. On the cross covering your sins with his blood.

      That‘s all the comfort you’ll need when facing death. With that kind of love it doesn’t matter how long or short your life span or what you do good or evil my friend.

      Report Post »  
    • keats5
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 8:50am

      Did you think Christians don’t suffer or die? Did you think the Lord is their servant who does their every bidding?

      The good news is that Christians die but once. They do not suffer the second death (hell). These young people are better than ever right now.

      Report Post » keats5  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:28am

      You mock Christ because you think He answers all prayers? Well he does, sometimes the answer is NO. If they prayed and God said no, that meant He wanted them in their Heavenly home…Someplace you will never see unless you repent of your sins and trust Him as Savior.

      Wake up or buy a firesuit…

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 3:54am

    Same plane Aaliyah died on 11 years ago…sad to hear this happen.

    Cessna haven’t made those in years. So maintenance has to be optimum, meaning, no cutting corners. But in Obama’s economy, things like this are bound to happen, if for whatever, reason repairs couldn’t be made in a timely manner. So it will be interesting to hear the final report on what occurred for that plane to go down.

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • OldVet
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 9:35am

      Apple Bite
      “Cessna haven’t made those in years. So maintenance has to be optimum, meaning, no cutting corners. But in Obama’s economy, things like this are bound to happen, if for whatever, reason repairs couldn’t be made in a timely manner. So it will be interesting to hear the final report on what occurred for that plane to go down.”

      I’m sure you mean well, but 11 years is fairly new for aircraft such as this. Many of them are better now than they were when they left the assembly line. I don’t have the final report yet either but the fact revealed that they asked for a lower altitude indicates that they were in IFR and the weather was the problem. A pilot with mechanical problems will not ask for a lower altitude without stating his problem. I know, been there done that. If the problem is mechanical only it is best to gain higher altitude to insure a glide to a suitable landing site. This was more than likely a weather related accident.

      Report Post » OldVet  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 3:13am

    3 Years ago the early morning after Mothers Day my pastor died with his teenage son in a plane crash flying a small craft out of the mountains of NC on a trip to Texas to meet with other pastors.
    We know the hurt. He was originally from Oklahoma also. It was over in seconds and He and His son went to be with the Lord. Sometimes the Lord takes exceptional people in the prime of their life.
    He left a wife and 4 more children. What’s cool is the Lord provided another pastor to become her new husband and step father to the children in marriage since then. After that our minister of music died of a heart attack at the age of 40. Just up and died. He left two small children and a wife.
    God also provide a new marriage for her. We greatly miss both of them.

    Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 1:29am

    “though they are dead, yet shall they live.” the mystery of God for the believer in Jesus.
    “to be absent the body is to be present with the Lord” – Missed yet not for long. Loved ones will meet again who believe in Jesus as Saviour.
    I honor my Brothers and Sister with Chris Rice “Come To Jesus” at the close of this life.
    We do not cry.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26zWcMY3U7E&feature=related

    Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 1:19am

    My favorite song COME TO JESUS “Come to Jesus, Sing to Jesus, Fall on Jesus, Cry to Jesus, Dance For Jesus, and Fly to Jesus “. God’s people are heading home. We are just aliens on this earth. God bless the families and may the 4th boy recover by God’s grace. Otherwise, it’s all good as we are Christians. We have a home forever. The world can take our body but not our eternal life.
    We are His forever.

    Youtube – Come To Jesus (great song)

    Report Post »  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 12:46am

    How very sad for their families–at least those that died are at peace now.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on May 13, 2012 at 7:07pm

      What makes you think they were not at Peace already? Jeeez.

      Report Post » The-Monk  

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