Tragedy struck over the weekend as a private jet crash claimed the lives of Adina Azarian, her two-year-old daughter, and their family nanny. The victims were identified as the daughter and granddaughter of a prominent GOP donor with close ties to former President Donald Trump. The crash occurred in Virginia, prompting F-16 fighter jets to scramble and resulting in a sonic boom heard across the region, Your Content has learned.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the plane’s owner and father of Adina, John Rumpel, suggested that the aircraft might have lost pressurization, causing all onboard to lose consciousness due to a lack of oxygen. This heartbreaking incident marks the second tragedy for the Rumpel family, as another daughter died in a scuba diving accident in 1994.
The Cessna aircraft, owned by John Rumpel, was en route to Long Island, New York, but unexpectedly turned back towards Washington DC before the crash occurred. Flight tracking data indicates that the plane appeared to be on autopilot during this time.
In response to the unresponsive aircraft, two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled by US military officials from Andrews Air Force Base. The pursuit resulted in a supersonic boom heard by residents of Virginia, Maryland, and the surrounding areas. However, military officials deny any connection between the pursuit and the crash.
The wreckage of the plane was discovered in the Staunton/Blue Ridge Parkway area of the Shenandoah Valley, and tragically, there were no survivors. Investigations into the incident are being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The Rumpel family, known for their conservative political contributions, has supported several GOP candidates over the years, including former President Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. They have been actively involved with the National Rifle Association (NRA), with Barbara Rumpel holding key positions within the organization.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that there is no threat related to this incident. Meanwhile, authorities continue their efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash and provide support to the grieving family,‘according to New York Post.
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