On February 3, 2022, a Cessna 172 crashed in Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland, killing all four people on board. The small plane crash killed 22-year-old Josh Neuman, an American skateboarder, and influencer; 26-year-old Tim Alings, a sponsorship manager at a Belgian streetwear company; 32-year-old Nicola Bellavia, a Belgian skydiver and influencer; and 50-year-old Haraldur Diego, a prominent aviator.
Authorities in Iceland said the Cessna 172 departed from Reykjavik on Thursday, February 3 for a two-hour tour. Haraldur Diego, the pilot of the aircraft, contacted aviation authorities roughly an hour into the flight. The Cessna 172 disappeared from radar a short time later without issuing a distress signal. Reports of the missing plane prompted a search and rescue effort that involved an estimated 1,000 people.
According to media sources, Josh Neuman, 22, was on a flight with Nicola Bellavia, 32, to find sites to create commercial content for Suspicious Antwerp, a Belgian streetwear brand. After the Cessna went missing, the company issued a statement to the media confirming that the two content creators, an Icelandic pilot (Diego), and a company employee (Ailings) were on the flight.
Despite encountering bad weather, search teams continued to look for the missing plane and the four adventurers over the course of two days. On February 5, a team finally located the downed plane in Lake Thingvallavatn. The next day, responders used sonar and autonomous submarine technology to locate the bodies of the deceased victims.
What Caused the Iceland Crash That Killed Josh Neuman and Three Others?
Investigators will be looking into several factors that may have played a role in the crash that killed American skateboarder and YouTube personality, Josh Neuman. Among other things, the investigators will look into the flight path, the weather, and also the maintenance history of the Cessna 172. If the wreckage is retrieved authorities will inspect it for any possibility of mechanical failure. They will also review available flight data to scrutinize the actions of the pilot, Haraldur Diego, who was by all accounts an experienced, well-known aviator
“When you don’t have a distress call from an experienced pilot who knew the area well, that raises the distinct possibility of mechanical failure,” says aviation attorney Timothy A. Loranger, who has experience representing the legal interests of victims harmed in preventable Cessna 172 crashes.
Victims of Iceland Plane Crash
Josh Neuman: Raised in North Carolina, Neuman attended Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw before enrolling at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After leaving college, he dedicated himself to making videos on skateboarding and travel for YouTube and social media. In addition to his own work, several major brands hired him to do content on trips all over the world. Neuman passed away after recently witnessing the Northern Lights, which he described as “the happiest day of my life.” Josh Neuman is survived by his parents.
Nicola Bellavia: Described by many as a free spirit and a bright soul, Bellavia made a name for himself in his native Belgium by posting adventurous videos of himself skydiving throughout the world. He had over 21,000 followers on Instagram, where he regularly updated his content with photos and videos of his travels in Mexico, China, Brazil, Egypt, and other countries. In addition to his content creation, Bellavia also worked as a creative director and remained active in the event, media & video production industry.
Tim Alings: Recently completed his bachelor’s degree in International Business Marketing, Ailings applied his knowledge working for Suspicious Antwerp, a popular streetwear brand. He worked for the company’s content marketing department before accepting a position as a Sponsorship Manager. Ailings, who was from the Netherlands, was a world traveler with a desire to learn more about different cultures.
Haraldur Diego: A passionate general aviation advocate in his native Iceland, Diego represented the country’s interests in the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA). He was also a well-known pilot who operated the sightseeing business Volcano Air Iceland, which produced breathtaking images of volcanoes and other scenery.
Hire an Experienced Cessna Plane Crash Lawyer for Your Case
Aviation attorneys from the national law firm of Wisner Baum have decades of experience litigation small plane crash cases against the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers. Since 1988, we have successfully litigated cases stemming from over 50 Cessna plane crashes. No matter the opponent, our legal team knows what it takes to secure justice on behalf of victims and their families.
Across all practice areas, our lawyers have won more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. If you give us the opportunity, we will fight to vindicate your legal rights.
If you would like more information about pursuing an aviation accident lawsuit, please contact us or give us a call at (855) 948-5098. Our legal team offers free and confidential evaluations on aviation accident cases.
