Marine Vietnam vet and 3 family members killed en route to see eldest son graduate OCS

A Marine vet was among those killed Friday in a deadly plane crash in Virginia, as the pilot was trying to land at Shannon Airport in Spotsylvania County.

The Borinstein family had chartered a flight with Bob Ross, a Marine veteran, to fly to Quantico to see their eldest son graduate from OCS, Officer Candidate School, and become a Marine — he was also a senior at Virginia Military Institute.

Ross, a 73-year-old Vietnam vet and owner of the plane, had just retired.  He had recently sold his CPA business and wanted to do a lot more flying– one of his daughters told WAVE 3 News.

The Marine’s family was killed including Lisa K. Borinstein, 52, and her children-Luke J. Borinstein, 19, and Emma R. Borinstein, 15. Also deceased was Maren Timmerman, 15, of Berlin, Germany, an exchange student living and traveling with the family.

The Marine’s only remaining family member, Beau, a twin of Emma, stayed home for a sports camp according to the Martinsville Bulletin.

Quantico held a moment of silence on Saturday because one candidate’s family had been killed while en route to the ceremony. Quantico released a statement, “Training Command’s thoughts and prayers are with the Candidate and his family during this difficult time.”

After getting out of the Marines, Anita Oxford says her father dreamed about owning his own plane one day and getting a pilot’s license. A few years ago, he did just that.

“He was just an amazing person… he absolutely loved his country… loved his family and friends,” Oxford said.

Ross’s 1969 twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft departed Kentucky on Friday morning.  It then stopped in Shelbyville, Indiana to pick up more passengers.

A report by the NTSB and FAA indicates that the plane was attempting to turn and climb during the botched landing.  “It appeared to have stalled as it made it beyond the railroad tracks at the end of the airport property. The plane banked left, crashed into the trees and immediately caught fire.”

All six people on board were killed, including the pilot, 64-year-old William Hamerstadt– Bob Ross’s best friend.

A gofundme account has been established for the remaining Borinstein family members.

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