WINONA, Minn. — The Winona community is mourning the tragic loss of Wayne William Ledebuhr, a 74-year-old local pilot who died after a small aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Winona Municipal Airport on Thursday evening, June 25. Federal aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the accident as family, friends, and fellow members of the aviation community remember a life cut short in the skies he loved.
According to the Winona Police Department, emergency dispatchers received a report of an aircraft crash at approximately 8:01 p.m. Multiple agencies responded to the airport, where they discovered an ultralight aircraft that had crashed near the runway. First responders immediately attempted lifesaving measures, but Ledebuhr was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
Preliminary information released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates that the aircraft was involved in the accident during its landing sequence. The aircraft has been identified as an Airborne Edge XT-912-L, an experimental weight-shift-control aircraft commonly referred to as an ultralight trike or microlight aircraft. FAA registration records show the aircraft was registered to Wayne W. Ledebuhr of Winona.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are jointly investigating the crash. As part of the investigation, officials are expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions, maintenance history, pilot qualifications, flight data, witness statements, and any available electronic evidence to determine what caused the accident. Authorities have not indicated whether mechanical failure, weather, or pilot-related factors contributed to the crash, and no preliminary cause has been announced.
The fatal accident prompted a coordinated response from the Winona Fire Department, Winona Police Department, Winona County Sheriff’s Office, Winona County Emergency Management, Goodview Police Department, and the Winona Area Ambulance Service. The airport remained an active investigation scene for several hours while emergency crews secured the wreckage and federal investigators began documenting evidence.
News of Ledebuhr’s death has resonated throughout Winona, where he was known as a longtime resident and aviation enthusiast. His sudden passing has left family members, friends, and members of the local flying community grieving the loss of a fellow pilot whose passion for aviation ended in tragedy. As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, loved ones continue to reflect on his life and extend their support to those affected by the devastating loss.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the NTSB is expected to issue a preliminary report in the coming weeks, followed by a comprehensive final report after its examination is complete. Until then, authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or possesses information that could assist investigators to contact the NTSB.
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