California wealth planning couple perish in plane crash near Kansas City
A husband and wife who led a California financial planning firm were identified as the victims of a fiery plane crash north of Kansas City, according to a Clay County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.
Mark and Vickie Spelts of Chico, California, died in the fiery crash as their plane was attempting to land at the Midwest National Air Center near Excelsior Springs, in rural Clay County, said Sarah Boyd with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The airport is about 30 minutes north of downtown Kansas City.
The couple’s flight had originated in Washington, Missouri, and was intended to land at the airport at 13106 Rhodus Road. The plane crashed shortly before noon Wednesday in a soybean field north of the runway.
Mark Spelts was founder and chief executive of Spelts Wealth Management Inc. in Chico, California, while his wife Vickie was vice president of operations, according to the company’s website.
“It is with profound sadness that Spelts Wealth Management Inc. announces the passing of our cherished friends, visionary business leaders, and dedicated community members,” the company said in a statement provided to The Star.
The company credited the couple’s leadership as the driving force behind the company’s growth and success.
“Their unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and commitment to excellence were not only integral to the business but also served as a constant source of inspiration to all who had the privilege of working alongside them,” the company said. “We are deeply grateful for the enduring legacy Mark and Vickie leave within our company and the countless lives they touched.”
The husband and wife team’s accomplishments went beyond their business, the company said, calling the two “pillars of our community.”
The company noted their kindness, generosity, and support for local organizations such as Enloe Hospital, the Chico Police Business Support Team, and Chico’s Elks Lodge.
“They believed that success was not measured by profit alone but by the positive impact we can have on the world around us,” the company said. “Their spirit of service will be greatly missed.”
The Cessna 340 the couple was flying crashed shortly before noon Wednesday in a soybean field just north of the airport runway.
The sheriff’s office was notified of the crash when a caller reported heavy smoke coming from the field. When deputies arrived, they found the plane engulfed in flames. Multiple fire departments responded to the scene.
The medical examiner has not yet confirmed the identities, but evidence recovered at the scene and discussions with family members have led to preliminary identification of the victims as the Spelts.
The sheriff’s office contacted the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which are investigating the crash.
