by Funeral Services for Fly Lugu Flight School Owner to be Held in Westfield
LEYDEN, Mass. – The calling hours for Fredrika Ballard, the owner of the Fly Lugu Flight School, will be held on Saturday at the Firtion-Adams Funeral home in Westfield. Ballard tragically lost her life in a plane crash on January 14th.
Ballard was a highly accomplished pilot and flight instructor. She earned her Flight Instructor rating in 2019 and her Instrument Flight Instructor rating in 2020. She was known for her expertise and dedication to the aviation community.
The fatal crash occurred when a plane owned by Fly Lugu Flight School took off from Barnes Airport in Westfield with Ballard, flight instructor William Hampton, and student pilot Chad Davidson on board. Sadly, all three occupants perished when the aircraft crashed in a small clearing near the Leyden Wildlife Management Area.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a preliminary report on the crash, stating that it was accidental. However, the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. The FAA and other authorities are working diligently to determine what led to this tragic event.
Fredrika Ballard is survived by her husband, Joe Ballard, and her three children. The calling hours will be held at the Firtion-Adams Funeral home located at 76 Broad Street in Westfield on Saturday, January 20th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In honor of Ballard’s memory and her contributions to the aviation community, the family is asking people to consider donating to Friends of Westfield Barnes Airport or The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Woman Pilots.
Funeral services for William Hampton, the flight instructor, will be private, and details on services for Chad Davidson, the student pilot, have not yet been announced.
This tragic incident has deeply saddened the aviation community and the local community in Leyden. The loss of Fredrika Ballard, a highly skilled pilot and beloved member of the community, has left a void that will be hard to fill. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of these three lives and offers their support to the families affected by this heartbreaking event.
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