Pilot, passenger in crash identified

WINCHESTER -- The occupants of a single-engine plane that landed short of the runway and crashed into a fence Friday at Winchester Regional Airport have been identified.

Alberic J. Bergeron Jr., 57, of Winchester, was piloting the plane while Stephen C. Meister, of Herndon, was the passenger, Sgt. Les Tyler of the Virginia State Police's Division II office in Culpeper said Saturday.

The crash occurred at 5:38 p.m. when the 1978 Piper Warrior began to lose power during its descent and landed just short of the runway, first striking an embankment before crashing into a perimeter fence, Tyler said.

Tyler said the plane, owned by a third party in Bethesda, Md., was a total loss.

Trooper T.H. Seagle responded to the crash scene, along with emergency personnel from Millwood and Greenwood fire and rescue departments.

The occupants of the plane were transported to Winchester Medical Center for what appeared to be minor, non life-threatening injuries, according to Capt. Gary Pearson of Frederick County Fire and Rescue.

The crash is still under investigation, Tyler said.

-- Daily Staff Report