The Nebraska State Patrol has released the identity of the pilot who died in Monday, August 26th’s plane crash in Knox County.

The pilot has been identified as Joseph Rudloff, 73, of Norfolk.

The crash was reported at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday. The location was approximately four miles southwest of Crofton, Nebraska.

A second plane crash occurred a short time later near Wayne.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency on that incident. Details will be released by the Sheriff’s Office when possible.

From the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday at 4 p.m.: “On Monday morning (08-26- 24) the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol responded to a plane crash located approximately 7 miles north and 3 miles west of Wayne, NE. The pilot died upon impact. His identity is being withheld pending notification of family.

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) are conducting investigations into the cause of the plane crash.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol were assisted by the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department, Providence Medical Center, Emergency Management from Wayne, Cedar, Dixon, and Stanton Counties, and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.”

From the original press release following announcement of the crashes:

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol remain on scene of two small plane crashes that occurred this morning in northeast Nebraska.

First responders, including troopers and Knox County Sheriff’s deputies, located the pilot, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The pilot was the lone occupant of the plane at the time of the crash. The name of the deceased will be released following notification of family.

The second crash occurred a short time later near Wayne. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency on that incident. Details will be released by the Sheriff’s Office when possible.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been contacted and will investigate both crashes. Troopers have utilized drones to survey both crash scenes to assist in each investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating both crashes. Troopers utilized drones to survey both crash scenes to assist in each investigation.