A Colorado doctor who worked as a trapeze artist in his spare time and his three-year-old daughter died when the plane he was piloting crashed into a mountain range, officials said.
Aaron Gingrich, 43, had taken Isabella on a nearly three-hour flight over the Rockies on October 4 before the aircraft went down near Eldorado Springs.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Gingrich was flying as low as 7,375 feet just minutes before the crash.
The pair departed from Longmont’s Vance Brand Airport that evening and flew across northern Colorado for just under three hours, according to flight-tracking data.
A map of the route published by Flightaware appeared to show an erratic flight path. Audio also captured another pilot criticizing Gingrich’s takeoff.
The pilot, whose exchange was recorded by LiveATC, berated Gingrich—who lived in a $1 million Boulder home—for what they described as a “dangerous” departure.
“Two Gulf Lima, you up? Two Gulf Lima, you up?” the exasperated pilot could be heard saying over the radio.
“Hey, Two Gulf Lima, thanks so much for cutting us off in the traffic pattern. Appreciate it,” the pilot added sarcastically.
“We also have someone upwind 2-9 who’s being really dangerous and put us off in the pattern. So we’re just getting out of here,” the pilot continued.
Investigators’ preliminary report said Gingrich was flying as low as 7,375 feet just minutes before the crash.
Officials confirmed that Gingrich’s three-year-old daughter, Isabella, died in the crash.
The flight path taken by Gingrich is shown here.
The cause of the crash, as well as the reason for the erratic flight, remains unclear. A full NTSB report is expected at a later date.
Officials said the wreckage of the single-engine Diamond DA40 was recovered at an elevation of 7,360 feet.
Topographical maps show that elevations in the area range from approximately 6,500 to 7,500 feet.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said search-and-rescue crews spent the night looking for the plane but were unable to locate it.
A MedEvac helicopter equipped with night-vision capabilities joined the search, but the wreckage was not found until the following morning, officials said.
The Boulder County Coroner identified Gingrich and Isabella as the two people involved in the crash, describing the incident as an “aircraft mishap.”
At the time of his death, Gingrich was an instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz, the university said.
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Gingrich, a Columbia University graduate, obtained his private pilot’s license in 2016, according to an online profile.
The profile also said that he had worked in five US states and six countries as an ER Doctor. In 2022 he opened a clinic offering ketamine treatments in Texas.
As well as being a doctor, the Daily Mail has learned that Gingrich also moonlighted as a trapeze artist
According to a topographical map of the area in which they were found, elevations can move anywhere from 6,500 to 7,500 feet
The Columbia University graduate first got his private pilot license in 2016, according to an online profile
He also spent his spare time as a trapeze artist, with a Swiss based group sharing a tribute to him on their social media.
The group said: ‘It’s with extreme sadness that we share the loss of one of our favorite birds.
‘Aaron; your positive energy, your kindness, your beautiful way of sharing smiles, laughter and music will be remembered.
‘Thank you, you will be deeply missed. We hope you’re flying and doing flips wherever you are now.’
A Swiss based trapeze group paid tribute to him after news of his passing emerged, he is seen here second from the left
A GoFundMe has since been set up to support Isabella’s mother, identified as Lauren Willcox, as of Thursday morning it had raised over $14,000
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement said that search and rescue crews searched the area overnight for the plane but could not find it
A MedEvac helicopter was brought in with night vision capabilities but still the wreckage was not discovered until the next morning, Isabella is seen here alongside her mother
A GoFundMe has since been set up to support Isabella’s mother, identified as Lauren Willcox, as of Thursday morning it had raised over $14,000.
A post to the fundraiser said: ‘There are no words for the loss of sweet Bella, who was only three years old.
‘Our hearts are broken for Lauren as she faces the unimaginable pain of losing her little girl.
‘We want to come together to support Lauren and help create a special memorial for Bella, so her memory can live on in the community that loves her.
‘Donations will go toward Bella’s memorial. Any extra funds will be used to honor her through a charity donation or a memorial bench or structure in Boulder, Colorado.
‘Thank you for loving Bella, supporting Lauren, and helping keep Bella’s memory alive. Every donation and share means more than words can say.’