Staff file photo / Ed Runyan Joe Maxin was photographed on a taxiway at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport on March 19 as he and a reporter headed back to the airport terminal from the hangar housing the Youngstown Flight School at the airport, which Maxin played a large role in getting started in 2024. He was the pilot of the twin-engine plane that crashed Sunday in Howland.

HOWLAND — The six victims of a Sunday morning plane crash in a wooded area of the township have been identified by investigators.

The twin-engine Cessna 441 Conquest crashed on King Graves Road shortly after takeoff from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the tragedy, which has left the Mahoning Valley reeling from the loss of prominent community members.

Reports identified the victims as passengers Veronica Weller, 68; James (Jim) Weller, 67; John Weller, 36; and Maria Weller, 34, along with pilot Joseph Maxin, 63, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55. Blake and the passengers were all Hubbard residents, while Maxin lived in Canfield.

James Weller was president and CEO of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., which processes coated, cold rolled and hot rolled steel, and provides a variety of state-of-the-art stamping and blanking services. It has facilities in Lordstown and Warren, according to its website.

The Weller family also was beloved among the Sharon Speedway racing community. Sharon Speedway, located in Hartford, posted a statement on social media.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of James (Jim) Weller, Jr., his wife Veronica, along with their son John and his wife Maria on Sunday.

James won 36 times in the Big Block Modified division at Sharon Speedway and was a two-time track champion. His late father, Jim Weller Sr. co-owned Sharon Speedway from 2002-2024.”

James Weller’s father also founded Liberty Steel in 1965, which grew from a steel service center into a major regional supplier that aided the families’ racing efforts and speedway operations.

Jackson Township Trustee Tom Frost said, “It’s a real tragedy, they’ve been great neighbors to us and great additions to the community.”

PILOT JOE MAXIN

Maxin, a veteran pilot and lead flight instructor at Youngstown State University’s new flight school, also served as director of compliance for the Western Reserve Port Authority, which operates the airport, and was a former board member.

The Vindicator spoke with Maxin in depth in the spring about his role as lead flight instructor at the Youngstown Flight School, which was created in early 2024 at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. The flight school was teaching its third “cohort” of eight to 10 flight students.

The story was about the creation of the $4.5 million YNG Aviation Education Center at the airport that will bring together the Youngstown Flight School and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics mechanics school into one new 18,000-square foot structure.

The port authority received approval in the spring from the JobsOhio economic development organization for the final $1 million of the funding. Another $2.2 million was approved from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. As of the spring, the architectural design was still being completed. Officials were hoping to have the structure built by 2026.

Maxin, an attorney and former longtime member of the board of the Western Reserve Port Authority, was hired by the port authority as director of compliance in 2024. In that role, he reviewed contracts and assisted with grants and other things.

In a statement, Western Reserve Port Authority Executive Director Anthony Trevena said, “On behalf of the Western Reserve Port Authority, we extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those affected by this tragedy.

“Among those lost was our friend and colleague, Joseph (Joey) Maxin, who served as the Port Authority’s Director of Compliance. A selfless public servant and pilot, Joseph dedicated his life to serving the Mahoning Valley. From his work in the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office to his instrumental role in launching the flight school in collaboration with Youngstown State University, he was committed to educating the next generation of aviation professionals.

“This loss hits the Port Authority team hard. Joseph’s legacy and impact on this community will not be forgotten.”

Maxin also worked as a Mahoning County assistant prosecutor in the criminal division, most recently prosecuting cases before Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge John Durkin until he left that job in 2024 to devote himself full time to the flight school and port authority compliance.

Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro released a statement Monday on Maxin’s death, stating that her office is “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former longtime employee and assistant prosecutor Joseph Maxin.”

He first joined the prosecutor’s office in 1990, where he served in both the criminal and civil divisions, Maro said.

“He notably represented the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office, contributing to the county’s legal efforts with professionalism and integrity.

“After leaving the office in 2007, Joe returned in 2017 to continue his service in the criminal division, once again bringing his knowledge to the courtroom. Joe eventually left the prosecutor’s office to pursue his lifelong passion for aviation, joining the Western Reserve Port Authority.

“He was not only a skilled attorney, but also a beloved friend and colleague, known for his kindness, good nature and one-of-a-kind humorous personality. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Joseph Maxin’s family, friends, and all those mourning his loss.

“He will be deeply missed by the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his career. We also extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the other five individuals who lost their lives in this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time.”

The aircraft, operated by Meander Air LLC and registered as N441LS, departed runway 32 at 6:53 a.m. local time, en route to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana. Flight data shows the plane made a left turn before crashing about one minute later, roughly 1.2 miles northwest of the airport, in a densely wooded backyard near King Graves Road. The 1984 Cessna was destroyed, but no ground injuries were reported, despite the crash’s proximity to three homes.

“This is a devastating blow to our community,” said Howland fire Chief Raymond Pace. “That no homes were hit is a small mercy in this tragedy.”

Pace called it the deadliest crash from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, noting the victims’ deep ties to the region’s aviation and business communities amplified the loss.

NTSB investigators arrived Sunday evening to examine the wreckage, which will be moved to a secure facility for further analysis. The agency is gathering flight track data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, weather reports and details of Maxin’s extensive piloting experience. The NTSB has requested witness statements and surveillance footage, including from doorbell cameras, and asked the public to contact witness@ntsb.gov with information.

Residents reported a thunderous explosion and heavy smoke.

“It sounded like a bomb,” said Sarah Thompson, a Celestial Drive resident. Emergency crews, including Howland police and fire, the Trumbull County HazMat team, Youngstown Air Reserve Station fire crews, and a Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency drone unit, navigated challenging terrain to reach the site. Drones conducted aerial surveys Sunday and Monday to map the area and monitor for environmental hazards like fuel runoff.

The NTSB will not speculate on the cause during the initial investigation. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a final report, including probable cause and safety recommendations, potentially taking 12 to 24 months. The Federal Aviation Administration is assisting, per standard protocol.

This crash follows a July 19, 2024, incident near the same airport. In that incident, the crash of a twin-engine plane attempting an emergency landing killed three people from Laval, Quebec.