Heartbreaking final texts plane crash passenger sent saying goodbye to wife

June 2024 · 2 minute read

A man sent a heartbreaking final text message to his wife to say goodbye before the aircraft he was on crashed due to technical failures.

Benjamin Chafetz and pilot Boruch Taub from Cleveland took off from JFK International Airport on the evening of January 19 and were due to arrive at Cuyahoga County Airport.

The men were on board a single-engine Beechcraft A365 which lost oil pressure shortly after take off, the Mirror reports.

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Chaftez, 45, sent a chilling 'goodbye' message to his wife before the plane tragically crashed.

In a heartfelt text message, he wrote: "I love you and the kids. I am sorry for everything I have done. Aay rehillim. We lost engines. Call and have community say Tehillim."

Tehillim is the Hebrew term for the book of Psalms as it's been confirmed both men were members of the Jewish community in Cleveland.

A short while after, the air traffic controllers of the Federal Aviation Administration lost radar and radio contact with the plane. The aircraft crashed into a woodland area about two miles away from Westchester County Airport in New York and the victims' bodies were located nearby over five hours after the crash following an extensive search.

It's been confirmed both men were experienced pilots. Their bodies were removed from the crash scene and taken back to their families who will bury them in Ohio by sundown Friday in compliance with Jewish traditions.

Officials revealed their search effort was affected by rain and heavy thunderstorms which stopped them from being able to use drones to locate the plane crash. Crews were eventually able to locate the wreckage by cleverly using pings from the victim's cell phones.

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According to officials, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. The average price for a second hand Beechcraft Bonanza A36 is around $240,000 (£200,000).

It was produced between 1970 and 2005 and only requires a one person crew but can transport up to five passengers.

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