Just seconds before she died in an aircraft accident over Virginia, a Swedish flight instructor could be heard speaking over air traffic control towers.
When her student pilot Oluwagbohunmi Ayomide Oyebode pushed the plane’s nose too high and caused it to stall close to Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Virginia, Viktoria Theresie Izabelle Ljungman, 22, lost her life. This happened on Thursday at approximately 3 p.m.
Oluwagbohunmi Ayomide Oyebode, 18, a native of Maryland, and another unnamed student pilot, also 18, were both rushed to the hospital with critical wounds.
Ljungman’s heartbreaking last remarks, which were recorded by air traffic control before she sadly passed away,
“97883, cleared for takeoff.” Wake turbulence, be careful, she said. When an airplane takes off while trailing another aircraft, it may experience turbulence.
A male voice enters a few seconds later and announces: “We had a wreck!”
Are you alright, 883? the controller inquired. They sent a rescue squad to the area after getting no answer.
According to crash investigators, Oyebode pulled the nose up too high after takeoff, which led to the catastrophe.
The single-engine Cessna stalled as a result, losing altitude, falling around 100 feet to the ground.
Immediately after takeoff, according to officials, the aircraft crashed in some nearby woods.
Investigations into the accident are still ongoing.
Both of the injured young men were enrolled in an aviation course at Hampton University, Ljungman’s alma school, according to HBCU Gameday.
Ljungman served as a teacher at a nearby battle school with its headquarters at Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.
Ljungman, a Swedish native who attended the university on a tennis scholarship, graduated in May and is now living her ambition of becoming a flight instructor.
I recall that was all she ever wanted to do when we first met. Charlie Hudson, a tennis player at Hampton University, told the Daily Press on Friday that she aspired to be a commercial pilot.
On her Instagram, Ljungman extensively chronicled her “quest to become an airline pilot,” including images and videos from several flights.
Photos of the recent graduate grinning in the air were posted on social media, and one of them said that she had just received her flying instructor license in April.
According to her acquaintances, Ljungman may be seen in a snapshot proudly marking her achievement in the test as one of many steps done by the young lady toward attaining her ambition.
Hudson remembered his former teammate’s upbeat demeanor and stated, “I don’t recall her ever not smiling.” She was just infectious in her enthusiasm and a pleasure to be around.
Myana Mabry, Ljungman’s roommate at Hampton, told the local media station WAVY-TV that she was proud of her roommate’s many successes and often boasted about them to other students.
“To know” Mabry told the station, “Hey, my roommate is a legend — not a legend in the making, but a legend.” “Seeing her ambitions come true was just so admirable and wonderful.”
She said, “People were really pulled to her because she was so honest.”
She was really such a beautiful spirit that appeared so innocent, Hudson concurred, stating.
He said, “How she presented herself on social media… was how she was in person.” Finding someone who is similar to you both outside and online is, in my opinion, becoming more unusual.
The pilot’s family also issued a statement in which they expressed their “devastation” at the “enormous loss.”
They said to WTKR, “She was not quite 22 and a half years old, and we are crushed by this huge loss.” “To love Viktoria, not only for her family, was to know her.” Everyone Viktoria dealt with appreciated and respected her compassion and brilliance, as well as her incredible commitment and work ethic.
“Viktoria adored attending Hampton University…”
We are very grateful to Hampton University for providing Viktoria with the opportunity to pursue her ambition of becoming a pilot by attending school in the US on a full scholarship.
Ljungman’s Hampton graduating class is organizing funds for her family, Mabry continued.
‘She was a very joyful girl who always had the greatest grin on her face,’ a buddy said on the tennis player’s GoFundMe page. She served as the shining example of goodwill for many, whether it was on the tennis court or in the sky.
“She affected everyone she came into contact with and will be sorely missed.”
The charity event has raised more money than its $7,500 target.