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Victims of F-16/Cessna crash in SC has SW IA ties

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July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

As the search continues for the remains of one of the two victims killed Tuesday when their small plane collided with a military fighter jet in South Carolina, a Clarinda woman was trying to come to terms with the loss of her great-nephew.The Daily NonPareil reports family members notified Millie Jensen of Clarinda Wednesday that her great-nephew, Joseph Johnson, and his father, Michael Johnson, had died in the plane crash. Michael Johnson was the ex-husband of Jensen’s niece, Lisa Johnson.

The accident occurred near Charleston, S.C., when a Cessna 150 piloted by Joseph Johnson collided with an Air Force F-16 fighter jet. Maj. Aaron Johnson was piloting the F-16 and was able to eject safely from the military aircraft. A certified pilot, Joseph Johnson was on his way to Myrtle Beach, S.C., with his father when the incident occurred.

Capt. Robert McCullough of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said at least part of the Cessna went into the Cooper River, while the F-16 crashed in Berkeley County, S.C. Recovery efforts were started following the collision. Authorities said Michael Johnson’s body has been found, but his son’s has not.

Joseph Johnson had played minor league baseball for two years after being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, according to Baseball Reference.