2 Dead, 1 Hurt in Northwest Iowa Plane Crash

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By Ellen Kurt

Story Created: Dec 2, 2012 at 11:04 AM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 3, 2012 at 12:05 AM CDT

CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa (AP) - Authorities have released the names of the three people on board a small plane that crashed in northwest Iowa this weekend.

The Woodbury County Sheriff's office says 70-year-old Gaylen Knaack, of Correctionville, was flying the plane when it crashed into a farm field 2 ½ miles south of Correctionville Saturday evening.

Knaack's two passengers died in the crash, and Knaack sustained serious burns.

The passengers were: 53-year-old Lee Schroeder, of Oto, and 55-year-old James Smith, of Correctionville.

Former Anthon Fire Chief Mike Berning says Schroeder was a longtime firefighter who was scheduled to portray Santa Claus at a town celebration next weekend.

Knaack was taken to a Sioux City hospital and later transferred to a burn center in Lincoln. Saint Elizabeth spokeswoman Betty Thompson says Knaack was in critical condition Sunday.