The Horsham Base Air Commander Who Was Injured In A Private Plane Crash Returns To Work

HORSHAM, PA — A military pilot who was seriously injured during a private plane crash last October, an accident that claimed the life of his daughter, has recovered from his injuries and is returning to his job as the commander of the 111th Attack Wing and Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham on Wednesday.

Col. Deane Thomey is scheduled to return to duty this week, nearly six months after he crashed a private plane into the woods during a tragic accident that took the life of his 24-year-old daughter, Madeline.

"We are all heartbroken at the loss of Madeline. Col. Thomey has made a remarkable recovery which has made his return possible," Rebecca Gray, 111th Attack Wing vice commander, said in a statement. "The entire 111th Attack Wing family is thankful to have our Wing Commander back at the helm to provide Pennsylvania and our nation a ready force — ready to meet any challenges that lay ahead."

Gray had stepped in to lead the Wing while Thomey recovered from his injuries.

The accident took place back on Oct. 22, 2021 in Colleton County, South Carolina. Thomey was flying a privately owned Piper PA-28R-300 airplane when it went down near Walterboro, South Carolina during a flight from Virginia to Florida.

Thomey initially spent several weeks in the intensive care unit of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, according to the 111th Attack Wing. He was transferred this past November to a hospital near his home in Alexandria, Virginia where he received ongoing care and treatment.

Thomey is an Arkansas native who took command of the 111th Attack Wing in Horsham last April after he spent time working at the Pentagon.

A cause of the private plane accident has not yet been provided. The National Transportation Safety Board says its investigations could take between 12 to 24 months until complete.