Local News
Family members identified Geoffrey Andrews as the pilot who died in a single-engine plane crash Thursday.
The pilot killed in a single-engine plane crash in Beverly on Thursday has been identified as Geoffrey Andrews, a 30-year-old Melrose man and father-to-be.
Andrews was killed when the Mooney M20 he was piloting crashed as it was taking off from Beverly Regional Airport just before 9 a.m. Investigators said another person was seriously injured in the crash, though that person has not been identified.
On Saturday, family members released a statement saying they were devastated at Andrews’ untimely passing. The statement highlighted Andrews’ love of flying and said he dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut. Loved ones described him as “a charismatic, beautiful soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and always had a kind word for others.”
Family and friends launched a GoFundMe page to assist Andrews’ wife, Gentry, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child. The baby is due in October.
As of Sunday morning, the fundraiser reached more than $28,000 of its $35,000 goal.
Read the family’s full statement below:
“Geoffrey’s family, friends, and his beloved wife Gentry are devastated and heartbroken at his untimely death Thursday morning when the plane he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff in Beverly, Massachusetts. We thank the investigators who we trust will conduct a thorough investigation into what caused this catastrophic loss of life. We also pray for his passenger in the plane and are sending his loved ones strength through this difficult time.
Each day in his deeply loved career, he immersed himself in the world of aerospace engineering and dreamed of someday having the opportunity to become an astronaut. He was proud to be a staff scientist for MIT Lincoln Laboratory and an equally proud doctoral graduate of Purdue University, as well as Lehigh University, where he completed his undergraduate studies and had recently begun teaching as a visiting lecturer.
Geoffrey loved flying, even moonlighting as a ferry pilot to build hours and experience as a graduate student. He flew aerobatics for several years, volunteered as a glider pilot, and was working toward his CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) to be able to teach others about the joy of flight.
Beyond his love for flight, Geoffrey was a charismatic, beautiful soul who cared deeply for his family and friends, and always had a kind word for others. He was so excited about the upcoming birth of their baby. He was almost always seen sporting a bow tie and a smile. He loved cooking, baking, nature, was a talented amateur photographer and was oddly passionate about scuba diving. He loved music, often played piano, and sang in choirs for much of his life, including with Gentry. Geoffrey was Gentry’s biggest support system in life, especially during the recent death of her cherished mother, Marcia.
Geoffrey’s family and friends have established a GoFundMe page and ask for public support for Gentry, who is expecting their first child in October.”
The crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Office of the District Attorney.
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