Community Mourns the Loss of Two People After a Plane Crash - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

News of the plane crash that happened Thursday, January 20th has rocked the community of Shallowater, particularly the school Madeline attended. Family friends have said what great people they were.

Tim's friend and co-worker, Lloyd Whetzel said, "he loved to fly, he loved to ride bicycles, he loved to ride motorcycles, he liked to hunt and shoot and we had a lot of things in common, so it was fun to sit around and talk with him."

/21/05 NTSB Investigating Fatal Plane Crash Near Abernathy The NTSB from Arlington drove out this morning to investigate last night's plane crash that killed the pilot, his 8-year-old daughter, and their dog.

Vaughn's personal plane crashed about ten miles north of Abernathy, killing him, his 8-year-old daughter Madeline, and the family dog.

Whetzel said when he heard the news, "I didn't know what to think. I think a lot of us out here are still in shock. It's just a tragic loss for us personally and professionally."

Whetzel recruited Vaughn to work for XFAB in Lubbock. They knew each other for 12 years. Whetzel says Vaughn is one of the most talented people he's known.

Madeline was an third grader at Shallowater Intermediate School. Deetra Staton's daughter Devan was good friends with Madeline. "It was like little girls playing together, cheerleading camps, go to the circus. They were best friends," said Staton.

The Vaughn's live in a neighborhood in Shallowater where many people own personal planes and they all share a landing strip. Even though Madeline and Tim will not go home again, they won't likely be forgotten. "He's not a replaceable person for any of us," said Whetzel.

Shallowater Independent School District's superintendent released this statement: "Madeline was a wonderful young person who will be missed by her teachers and classmates. She and the rest of her family will be in our thoughts and prayers as we all work to cope with the loss of Madeline and Tim."