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Vicki Garves-Berg perishes in plane crash

Long-time Alpine Education Staff examiners Vicki Garves-Berg and Larry Berg perished when their private plane crashed in western Wisconsin on Friday, January 30, at shortly after 9:40 p.m.  Cause of the fatal tragedy is not known as of Monday morning.

Larry and Vicki both served as Central Division examiners for many years, provided clinic leadership for PSIA events, and delivered clinic and technical leadership for several snowsports schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  In recent years Vicki was a leader in rejuvenating and expanding Central Division's "Train the Trainer" accreditation program.  Both Vicki and Larry served on the Alpine Education and Certification Committee.  Vicki also was an instructor for Vail.

Larry and Vicki took delivery of their Cirrus SR20 several weeks ago, with the engine completely rebuilt by the manufacturer.  News media reported that Larry was "an experienced pilot", and had filed a routine instrument flight plan from Sheboygan, Wisconsin to their home base in New Richmond, Wisconsin.  When their plane disappeared from radar screens their assigned flight level was 4,000 feet.  Local witnesses, who feared the aircraft might hit a nearby home, reported that they saw plane lights but did not hear any motor noise.  Reports from the scene describe a wooded area, flames, and debris strewn over an area roughly 150 feet wide and 400 feet long in Dunn County, north of Menomonie, Wisconsin.

A third passenger, 44 year old Brett Weller, from Hudson, Wisconsin, apparently rode along with Larry to Sheboygan.  There they picked up Vicki.  Larry often flew Vicki to and from her anesthetist service provided to hospitals throughout Wisconsin. 

This tragic loss of Vicki and Larry is painful for hundreds of friends and colleagues in the community of snowsports instructors.  PSIA/AASI Central extends condolences to Vicki and Larry's families and friends.  "The Bergs" will be missed.


This message was obtained from the PSIA web site at http://www.psia.org.