Vern Mitchell began training pilots in 1961 at Midstate Aviation, Inc. located in Ellensburg, Washington.
On May 18, 1980, Mitchell was killed when the plane he was piloting became obscured by oncoming ash clouds from the Mt. St. Helens eruption and accidently flew into high-voltage electrical lines. Mitchell's family brought a lawsuit against Bonneville Power Administration claiming BPA to be liable for not having provided areal markers across power lines which might have prevented the collision. However, a federal appeals court struck down a lower court ruling and denied any award of damages.
Although Mitchell is not listed among the 57 official blast victims, his death on May 18, 1980 most likely would not have occurred if Mt. St. Helens had not erupted that day. He was survived by a wife, Opal (Kaminsky), a daughter, Marlene Sue Dennis, and a son, Ron Mitchell.
The Vernon C. Mitchell Aviation Memorial was founded to provide scholarships for persons interested in aviation education.
On May 18, 1980, Mitchell was killed when the plane he was piloting became obscured by oncoming ash clouds from the Mt. St. Helens eruption and accidently flew into high-voltage electrical lines. Mitchell's family brought a lawsuit against Bonneville Power Administration claiming BPA to be liable for not having provided areal markers across power lines which might have prevented the collision. However, a federal appeals court struck down a lower court ruling and denied any award of damages.
Although Mitchell is not listed among the 57 official blast victims, his death on May 18, 1980 most likely would not have occurred if Mt. St. Helens had not erupted that day. He was survived by a wife, Opal (Kaminsky), a daughter, Marlene Sue Dennis, and a son, Ron Mitchell.
The Vernon C. Mitchell Aviation Memorial was founded to provide scholarships for persons interested in aviation education.
Vern Mitchell began training pilots in 1961 at Midstate Aviation, Inc. located in Ellensburg, Washington.
On May 18, 1980, Mitchell was killed when the plane he was piloting became obscured by oncoming ash clouds from the Mt. St. Helens eruption and accidently flew into high-voltage electrical lines. Mitchell's family brought a lawsuit against Bonneville Power Administration claiming BPA to be liable for not having provided areal markers across power lines which might have prevented the collision. However, a federal appeals court struck down a lower court ruling and denied any award of damages.
Although Mitchell is not listed among the 57 official blast victims, his death on May 18, 1980 most likely would not have occurred if Mt. St. Helens had not erupted that day. He was survived by a wife, Opal (Kaminsky), a daughter, Marlene Sue Dennis, and a son, Ron Mitchell.
The Vernon C. Mitchell Aviation Memorial was founded to provide scholarships for persons interested in aviation education.
On May 18, 1980, Mitchell was killed when the plane he was piloting became obscured by oncoming ash clouds from the Mt. St. Helens eruption and accidently flew into high-voltage electrical lines. Mitchell's family brought a lawsuit against Bonneville Power Administration claiming BPA to be liable for not having provided areal markers across power lines which might have prevented the collision. However, a federal appeals court struck down a lower court ruling and denied any award of damages.
Although Mitchell is not listed among the 57 official blast victims, his death on May 18, 1980 most likely would not have occurred if Mt. St. Helens had not erupted that day. He was survived by a wife, Opal (Kaminsky), a daughter, Marlene Sue Dennis, and a son, Ron Mitchell.
The Vernon C. Mitchell Aviation Memorial was founded to provide scholarships for persons interested in aviation education.
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