Account
Sep 17, 2014
Jan 04, 2024
Benjamin
Dressler
25
15
71 inches
160 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
On a Father's Day in 2014, what began as a sightseeing flight turned into a tragedy off the coast of Florence, Oregon. Fifteen-year-old Benjamin James Dressler, a promising student from Washington with a passion for math and science, was on a flight with his 69-year-old grandfather, Richard Munger. The aircraft, a Grumman American AA-5B, departed from Florence Municipal Airport around 8:45 a.m. The weather conditions were described as marginal, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. Benjamin was wearing jeans, a possible black leather jacket, and size 14 brown Merrell slip-on shoes. He was also carrying a brown leather bifold wallet that contained his identification, a house key, and a debit card. Witnesses reported seeing the small plane in the vicinity of the airport under deteriorating weather conditions with low ceilings and poor visibility. One witness, walking along the beach, heard the plane's engine in the low clouds and saw it emerge, traveling westbound away from the airport. The witness stated that the pilot increased the throttle, pitched the nose up, and re-entered the clouds. Shortly after, the plane was seen exiting the low overcast about 400 yards offshore in a nearly vertical, right-wing-low attitude before it crashed into the ocean. The crash occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m., about 500 yards offshore near the North Jetty. The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene and recovered the body of Richard Munger, who was pronounced dead. An extensive search was launched for Benjamin, but he was never found. Debris from the aircraft, including a wing flap, rudder, elevators, a landing gear wheel, and various interior parts, washed ashore, but the main wreckage of the plane was never located. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration conducted an investigation into the crash. The official cause of death for the pilot was determined to be blunt force trauma. The case is a heartbreaking accident that resulted in the loss of a young life with a bright future. Benjamin was remembered as an accomplished scholar who loved to learn, with favorite subjects including math, drama, and science. He was an inspiration to his friends and family, known for his sense of humor and uplifting spirit. Despite the search efforts, Benjamin's remains have never been recovered, leaving his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss.
Jun 15, 2014
Florence
Oregon
Lane County
97439
No
5589
Lane County Sheriff's Office
Eugene
Oregon
Lane County
97401
DJ Mann
Sergeant
125 East 8th Avenue, Oregon
5416824150
County
Law Enforcement
14-3696
2014-06-15
Lane County Sheriff's Office
Brown
Hazel
Hazel
05/28/2026
