Philadelphia Inquirer Co-Owner One of 7 Killed in Hanscom Plane Crash

By Liz Taurasi

Lewis Katz, co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily News and Philly.com, was one of seven people killed when a plane crashed on takeoff from Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA Saturday night.

The paper reports Katz's death was confirmed by Inquirer editor Bill Marimow Sunday morning.

Katz once owned the NBA's New Jersey Nets and the NHL's New Jersey Devils. He presided over the transformation of the Nets from an also-ran franchise in the late 1990s to a two-time Eastern Conference champion a decade ago. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES).

The Associated Press is reporting a representative for Doris Kearns Goodwin said Katz attended an event at her home shortly before the plane crash. 

Authorities have confirmed all seven people on board a private jet that crashed on takeoff and burst into flames at Hanscom Field Saturday night died. The crash happened just around 9:40 p.m. on Runway 11. 

The plane, a Gulfstream IV, was headed to Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey. Officials confirmed early Sunday morning it was a private plane. 

National Transportation Safety Board Officials are handling the investigation into what caused a Gulfstream IV jet to crash on takeoff and burst into flames killing seven passengers Saturday night.

In a short press conference Sunday morning, Massport officials said the bodies of those who were killed have not been removed from the wreckage and it will be up to the NTSB to handle recovery.

Officials have still not released the identities of all those killed in Saturday night’s crash.

Hanscom will be closed indefinitely pending the investigation. 

The NTSB has scheduled another press conference for 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Ongoing Coverage:

• 7 Killed in Plane Crash at Hanscom Field

• NTSB Investigating Cause of Plane Crash that Killed 7

• Lewis Katz's Vision: Executive Killed In Plane Crash Transformed Sports, Media