FORT WORTH — National Transportation Safety Board investigators are on the scene of a plane crash that killed a Dunbar High School student and his flight instructor Saturday in Ellis County.
As the probe looks into why the crash happened, questions have arisen over whether the Future Pilots Program should continue.
Eric Schultz, a 16-year-old sophomore, died just a few hours short from earning his pilot's license.
A memorial service for Eric has been scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Dunbar High.
"He will be missed, without a doubt," said Ja'Loni Denson, a senior classmate.
The plane went down in Waxahachie just 20 minutes after leaving Dallas Executive Airport. Greg Green, the boy's flight instructor, died in the crash as well. Green had recently gotten married in October.
"I just talked to [Schultz] Friday before we left, and all of the sudden...," said Jacarl Turner, a fellow student. "It makes you wonder what does God have in store for us because life is short."
Schultz was one of 25 students participating in the Claude R. Platte Future Pilots Program offered at Dunbar. The program is in its second year. However, school officials said they are now going to review the program after the student's death.
"I am hoping they will continue with the program," said Allen Henderson, a Dunbar student's parent. "It's a great program. [My son] came home and said, 'Dad, I can operate a plane,' and he knows how to do mechanic work on them."
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, all CRP flights have been put on hold.
Funeral plans for Green are pending, said a friend of the instructor.
DeSoto High School is also part of the Future Pilots program, with about 20 students enrolled. The DeSoto ISD sent letters home to parents Monday saying the program will continue through the semester as investigators try to figure out what caused Saturday's crash.
E-mail cvega@wfaa.com
