Local Civil Air Patrol Marks 30th Anniversary of Tragic Plane Crash with Memorial and Community BBQ

The Civil Air Patrol's Lookout Mountain Composite in Spearfish recently held an open house and memorial service to mark the 30th anniversary of a plane crash. The event paid tribute to Eugene Sperber and Bill Christel from Green Bay, Wisconsin, who died when their plane crashed into a stock pond 100 miles northeast of Spearfish on May 2, 1994. Family members of the deceased and CAP members who participated in the search operation attended the service.

During the memorial, attendees remembered the 10-day search that involved teams from South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. The search ended when the submerged aircraft was located in deep water, showing only part of its tail. The challenging weather conditions at the time were noted as a contributing factor to the crash.

The victims' family has continued to support the CAP, as shown by their donation of a Memorial Marker and flagpole to the Squadron. They also contributed to the CAP Cadet Program, showing their appreciation for the organization's work.

The event also featured the season's first outdoor barbecue at Lookout Mountain Composite, which brought nearly 40 attendees together. This gathering allowed for both reflection and community bonding, highlighting the CAP's commitment to search and rescue operations and youth development through its Cadet Program.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.