Family of 7 killed in Alabama plane crash

Posted: 07.11.2011 at 7:40 AM

DEMOPOLIS, Ala. (AP) — A family of seven was killed when their small plane crashed in western Alabama as they were returning from a family reunion.

The couple and their five children were flying back to Florida from St. Louis when the crash happened Saturday night, Marengo County Coroner Stuart Eatmon said.

They tried landing the Cessna C421 at an airport in Demopolis after it lost its right engine, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Holly Baker said in an email. The plane crashed in a densely wooded area near the airport.

Eatmon identified the dead as: Fred Teutenberg, 42; his wife, Terresa, who was in her mid-30s; their daughter Emma, 2; their son Peyton, 4; their daughter Ellie, 6; their son Brendon, 9; and their son Will, 10. They are from the Destin, Fla., area.

The coroner said relatives told him the family was flying back Saturday so they could make it to church the next day.

The plane was found upside-down and a wing had broken off, apparently as it crashed into trees, Eatmon said. Searchers located it early Sunday.

FAA records show the plane was built in 1978. It was registered to Advanced Integrated Technology Solutions LLC in Niceville, Fla. A message left seeking comment from the company wasn't immediately returned.

Friends told The Northwest Florida Daily News that Fred Teutenberg did volunteer work and played bass guitar every Sunday with the church band at First United Methodist Church of Niceville.

"He not only played with our band, he played with other church bands elsewhere," said Bob Webb, a friend and member of the church. "He told me one time he even toured a while. So he had a lot of interests."