Three Killed as Piper Comanche Crashes Near Geauga County Airport

Three men from Ashtabula County were killed Saturday afternoon when their Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, registration N6403P, crashed in a field approximately one mile from Geauga County Airport in Middlefield Township, Ohio. The Geauga County Sheriff's Office received the initial report at approximately 3:30 p.m. on June 20, 2026.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the victims as Thomas A. Cunningham, 76, of Rome Township; John W. Taipale, 71, of Geneva; and Alexander C. Taipale, 40, of Geneva. The three men had departed from their home airport in Ashtabula County for a day trip to Youngstown and western Pennsylvania and were returning home when the crash occurred.

Middlefield Assistant Fire Chief Ben Reed said the aircraft came down in a privately owned field behind Bridge Road. Reed noted the plane remained largely intact on impact, with no fire, fuel spills or debris field reported, and no ground injuries. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the accident; the aircraft was recovered from the scene Monday. NTSB officials cautioned the investigation could take several months to years to complete.