Father-to-be, 30, named as victim in Massachusetts plane crash
MIT scientist Geoffrey Andrews, 30, was operating a four-seater, single-engine aircraft when it plummeted to the ground just outside of Boston on Thursday.
His family named him as the pilot in a GoFundMe page for his pregnant wife - while revealing that he had been her rock after she lost her mother just months before.
An unidentified man was also on board the plane, and Andrews' fundraiser said they were praying for the passenger as he remains in a serious condition in hospital.
The fundraiser reads: 'Geoffrey's family, friends, and his beloved wife Gentry are devastated and heartbroken at his untimely death Thursday morning when the plane he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff in Beverly, Massachusetts.
'We thank the investigators who we trust will conduct a thorough investigation into what caused this catastrophic loss of life.
'We also pray for his passenger in the plane and are sending his loved ones strength through this difficult time.'
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed a single-engine Mooney M20F aircraft crashed on Sam Fonzo Drive in Beverly, on the north-east outskirts of Boston.
NTSB investigators told DailyMail.com a witness reported seeing 'black smoke come from the belly of the plane' before it went down, possibly indicating engine failure.
Andrews's wife, Gentry, who is six months pregnant, said she believed his plane 'experienced a serious engine issue' shortly after takeoff from Beverly Airport.
She wrote on Instagram: 'Per witnesses in the tower his response was textbook, but the plane still went down and he died on impact.
'Ever the gentleman, he did his best to save the life of his passenger.'
Gentry said Andrews had been flying to upstate New York to enjoy one last camping trip before the birth of their baby daughter in three months' time.
She wrote: 'He was so excited to become a father and told me so every day.'
Andrews's death marks a second tragedy for Gentry, after her mother, Marcia, passed away months before.
His family said in their fundraiser that he had been the 'biggest support system' for her. They remembered him as a 'charismatic, beautiful soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and always had a kind word for others'.
The fundraiser reads: 'He was so excited about the upcoming birth of their baby. He was almost always seen sporting a bow tie and a smile.
'He loved cooking, baking, nature, was a talented amateur photographer and was oddly passionate about scuba diving.
'He loved music, often played piano, and sang in choirs for much of his life including with Gentry.'
Talented: Andrews was a staff scientist at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and a doctoral graduate of Purdue University and Lehigh University
Andrews was also passionate about aerospace engineering and he dreamed of becoming an astronaut one day.
His family said he 'loved flying, even moonlighting as a ferry pilot to build hours and experience when he was a graduate student'.
The fundraiser adds: 'He flew aerobatics for several years, volunteered as a glider pilot, and was working toward his CFI to be able to teach others about the joy of flight.'
Chief John G LeLacheur and Fire Chief Peter K O'Connor said Beverly Police and Fire Departments responded to the crash at around 9am on Thursday.
When they arrived, first responders found two people trapped inside the four-seater piston aircraft, which had suffered 'significant damage'.
Beverly Police and Fire Departments said in a joint statement: 'The plane appeared to be resting against a utility pole. Two men were inside the plane, a pilot and a passenger.'
The statement continued: 'One occupant was pronounced dead on scene, and the other man was transported via medical helicopter to a hospital with serious injuries.
'At this time, there have been no reports of any ground injuries or additional property damage in the area.'
Images from the scene showed the plane laying crumpled against a utility pole, across a street surrounded by leafy woodland on either side.
It appears to be upright with the wings badly damaged. The main body of the aircraft was partially destroyed by the impact.
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