22-year-old Swedish flight instructor Viktoria Theresie Izabelle Ljungman was conducting a training flight with two 18-year-old student pilots when tragedy struck.
Ljungman was instructing Oluwagbohunmi Ayomide Oyebode and another unidentified student aboard a single-engine Cessna 172.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Virginia, when Oyebode, who was at the controls, caused the aircraft to stall mid-air.
Ljungman was a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor employed by Rick Aviation, a company affiliated with Hampton University’s aviation degree program. Both 18-year-old students involved in the flight were enrolled in that program.
According to a joint investigation by State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration, the crash occurred when one of the student pilots attempted to climb too steeply during takeoff.
This caused the aircraft—a single-engine Cessna 172—to stall at approximately 100 feet in the air. The plane then nosedived and crashed into a nearby embankment or ditch.
Ljungman’s family released a heartfelt statement following the tragedy:
“Our beloved daughter, sister, and grandchild Viktoria Ljungman unexpectedly and tragically passed away last Thursday,” the statement read. “She was not even 22 and a half years old, and we are devastated by this enormous loss.
“To know Viktoria was to love her—not only within our family, but among all who had the privilege of knowing her. Everyone who interacted with her admired her kindness, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to her work.”
The family also shared that Viktoria had long dreamed of becoming a pilot and expressed deep gratitude to Hampton University for awarding her a scholarship to pursue her aviation studies in the United States.
Both student pilots, including Oyebode and the other unnamed 18-year-old passenger, sustained serious injuries in the crash. They were initially taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital in Richmond for further treatment.
Chilling audio from air traffic control captured the final moments of communication from the aircraft before it crashed into a wooded area.
According to recordings from LiveATC, what is believed to be Viktoria Ljungman’s voice is heard responding to the tower, saying:
“Cleared for takeoff, 97883. Caution, wake turbulence.”
The phrase serves as a standard warning about possible turbulence caused by the wake of a preceding aircraft.
Moments later, a distressed voice is heard exclaiming, “We got a crash!”
The controller then calls out:
“883, are you OK? Are you on this frequency?”
When no response followed, emergency personnel were dispatched to the crash site.
At this time, there is no confirmation that wake turbulence played a role in the incident.
