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Today in History: Tragic Crash Claims Young Aviator Jessica Dubroff

4/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On April 11, 1996, seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff, aspiring to be the youngest person to fly across the U.S., tragically died when her Cessna 177B crashed shortly after takeoff from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The crash also claimed the lives of her father, Lloyd Dubroff, and her flight instructor, Joe Reid, amid a rainstorm.

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Story summary

On April 11, 1996, seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff, aspiring to be the youngest person to fly across the U.S., tragically died when her Cessna 177B crashed shortly after takeoff from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The crash also claimed the lives of her father, Lloyd Dubroff, and her flight instructor, Joe Reid, amid a rainstorm.