Philadelphia Inquirer Co-owner Among 7 Dead in Massachusetts Plane Crash

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Businessman and co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer Lewis Katz walks from Judge Patricia McInerney's courtroom Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, in City Hall in Philadelphia.

Image: Matt Rourke/Associated Press

By Anita Li2014-06-01 13:55:51 UTC

Lewis Katz, co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, was among seven people who died in a plane crash in Massachusetts, the newspaper's editor confirmed.

Bill Marimow told news website Philly.com that he learned about Katz's death Sunday morning from close associates. Katz was 72.

"He loved his family and his friends and they loved him back in return. We've lost a great friend," Marimow said.

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All seven people aboard the private plane died in the crash, according to multiple reports. The Gulfstream IV, which was departing Bedford-based airport Hanscom Field, crashed and caught on fire around 9:40 p.m. ET Saturday as it was leaving for Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey, according to Philly.com. The Massachusetts Port Authority did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.

Emergency personnel are at the scene of the accident, and Hanscom is currently closed for operations, according to a Port Authority release.

Jeff Patterson, who lives beside the airport's runway, told The Boston Globe that the plane exploded in a blast, which caused black smoke and flames to rise 60 feet in the air.

Katz and co-owner H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest bought out their partners for $88 million Tuesday, gaining control of the media company, which owns the Inquirer, Philly.com and the Philadelphia Daily News.

"We all deeply mourn the loss of my true friend and fellow investor in ownership of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily News and Philly.com," Lenfest said, according to Philly.com. "It is a severe loss, but I am pleased to announce that Drew Katz, Lewis' son, will replace his father on the board of our new company."

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the crash, according to multiple reports.

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Topics: Massachusetts, Philadelphia Inquirer, plane crash, US & World, World