Flight instructor and student die in midair helicopter collision, Kansas college says
A flight instructor and her student were identified as the two killed in a fiery midair collision involving their helicopter and a plane.
“Dodge City Community College is deeply saddened by the loss of instructor, Jessica Brandal, and student, Michael Papendick, who lost their lives in an incident on Oct. 1, in Chandler, Ariz,” the college said in a news release. Dodge City Community College is based in Kansas, though it has operated a helicopter Flight Instructor Program in Chandler since 2019.
Brandal was 27 and Papendick was 34 when they died, the Chandler Police Department confirmed in an email to McClatchy News.
A student pilot who witnessed the crash said the helicopter plunged to the ground and burst into flames, McClatchy previously reported.
“As soon as it hit the ground it almost ... it was quick. It was a quick fireball,” Tyler Detwiler told KNXV.
The other plane involved in the morning collision landed safely despite a “damaged landing gear,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement provided to McClatchy.
The two people onboard the plane — another flight instructor and student — were not hurt, KSAZ reported.
Papendick is survived by a wife and a daughter who is about to celebrate her first birthday, according to a GoFundMe set up by family.
“Mike was one of the most genuine, honest, loving, and supportive people we’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. His sense of humor was unmatched, and he was one of the rare individuals that always brought light and joy to everyone he crossed paths with,” the family said. “He made a tremendous impact on our lives and will leave an even larger hole in our hearts, but we find comfort in knowing that he passed doing what he loved most - flying.”
His wife, Becca, told KNXV that he was training to hopefully fly for police or EMS before doing tours in Hawaii.
In memory of Papendick, his family hopes people will do two things in his honor: think of him when you see zombies this Halloween season (they say he loved zombies) and treat every day like it’s your last — it just might be.
“Always kiss your loved ones goodbye, don’t go to bed with unresolved anger, let go of your grudges, and show appreciation because tomorrow is not guaranteed,” the GoFundMe says. “This is Mike’s legacy.”
Brandal’s mom, Jennifer, requested prayers for their family.
“This is the worst pain I have ever felt,” she said on Facebook. “Please pray for our family.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate the fatal crash.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Flight instructor and student die in midair helicopter collision, Kansas college says."