Name of Pilot in Sunday’s Deadly Crash Released
By Patrick Lynn
Stevens Point police on Monday released the name of the pilot who was killed in a one- plane crash during the Stevens Point Air Show.
Bill Cowden, 47, of Menomonie was pronounced dead on the scene after his plane crashed about 1,000 feet from the airport runway near a portion of the Green Circle Trail. Cowden was a scheduled performer who was conducting aerobatic stunts for a crowd of thousands on Sunday at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport.
According to Sgt. Tony Babl, the FAA and NTSB are now leading the investigation, but the police are asking anyone with photographs or video of the performance to come forward. Babl, along with Sgt. Joe Gruber, can be reached at 715.346.1500.
Officials from the Menomonie Airfest, where Cowden performed last year, Cowden had over 7,000 hours of flight time in more than 80 types of aircraft. He was a retired Air National Guard pilot, and leaves behind a wife and son.