Coroner: Ex-University of Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis died in Indiana plane crash

Video
Photo

Former University of Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis was in the 2NEWS studio in October 2012 speaking with 2 Works for You Sports Director Al Jerkins.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Previous Play Next

Regular Photo Size4/4

Posted: 03/18/2013

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Former University of Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis was one of two people who died Sunday in a plane crash in Indiana.

St. Joseph County Coroner Randy Magdalinski tells 2NEWS Davis, who led the Sooners to two national titles in the '70s, and Tulsa businessman Wes Caves were killed when the Beechcraft Premier I twin jet on which they were flying crashed near South Bend Regional Airport.

Two other people on board, Jim Rodgers and Christopher Evans, were hospitalized in serious and fair conditions respectively.

PHOTO GALLERY - Pictures from the scene and of Davis (http://bit.ly/XUxJez)

A family friend, Jean Barrett, previously confirmed with 2NEWS that Davis was onboard the plane and did not survive.

On Monday, former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer tweeted in memory of his former player: "I'm saddened by the loss of Steve Davis. Great role model for young people on & off the field. He was my 1st QB & had an outstanding career."

The jet took off from Tulsa's Jones Riverside Airport Sunday and authorities said it later experienced mechanical trouble when it crashed into a northern Indiana neighborhood, hitting three homes and killed the two onboard.

Mike Daigle, executive director of the St. Joseph County Airport Authority, said the jet attempted to land about 4:15 p.m., went back up and maneuvered south to try another landing, but eight minutes later the airport learned the plane was no longer airborne.

The plane was registered to 7700 Enterprises of Montana LLC in Helena, Mont. The company is owned by Caves and does business as DigiCut Systems in Tulsa, which makes window film and paint overlay for automobiles.

Caves was a licensed pilot, though officials have not said who was piloting the plane when it crashed.

Investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board arrived on the scene Sunday night.