3 killed in Geauga County plane crash identified

Published
June 20, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Middlefield, Ohio
MIDDLEFIELD
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Incident type
Crash, Fire

Summary

Car Crash Middlefield Ohio in Middlefield, Ohio: On Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., a Piper Comanche 250 crashed into a field on the 17030 block of Bridge Road in Middlefield, Geauga County, Ohio. The aircraft was en route to land at Geauga County Airport and broke up a mile before the landing site. All three passengers—76‑year‑old Thomas Cunningham from Rome, 71‑year‑old John Taipale from Geneva, and 40‑year‑old Alexander Taipale, also from Geneva—sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Geauga County Coroner’s Office, and local fire department.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Thomas Cunningham Unknown Fatal
John Taipale Unknown Fatal
Alexander Taipale Unknown Fatal
Unnamed Passenger Passenger Fatal

Original reporting

3 killed in Geauga County plane crash identified

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