Three Killed in Plane Crash Near Pond Creek Thursday Afternoon

Pond Creek-Grant County

At approximately 4:30pm Thursday, a  1967 Piper PA-30 Fixed Wing Multi Engine Plane crashed on County Road 870 north of Coal Road/County Road 870 intersection, approximately 9 miles southwest of Pond Creek in Grant County.

The Plane flown by William Lauber, age 59, of Milford, Nebraska was seen falling from the sky uncontrolled and crashing into the ground. Lauber was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Passengers Christine Lauber, age 58, of Milford, Nebraska  and Ragan Lauber, age 21, of Lincoln, Nebraska also died in the crash.

The Pilot and Passengers were all extricated by Pond Creek Fire Department for the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The crash was investigated by Trooper Mathews of the Grant County Detachment of Troop J.  Assisting at the crash were Trooper McCollough, LT Weimer, LT Ludwyck  NTSB, FAA, Pond Creek Fire Department, Pond Creek PD, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Miller EMS, and the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Aircraft Collision is still under investigation by Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

AP UPDATE (03/19/2022): William and Christine Lauber were owners of Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services in Milford. The funeral home’s director, Doug Wymore, said on Friday that the family had been visiting their other daughter in Austin, Texas, and were on their way back home to Nebraska when the plane crashed.