Doctor, Wife, Daughter Victims of Plainville, Massachusetts, Plane Crash

Dr. Joseph Kalister, his wife Betty and their daughter perished in the crash according to Starr Regional Medical Center

A doctor, his wife and their daughter were killed when a plane crashed into the roof of a Plainville, Massachusetts, home and burst into flames Sunday, hospital officials confirm.

Dr. Joseph Kalister, the plane's pilot, his wife Betty and their daughter, all of Knoxville, Tennessee, died in the crash, according to Starr Regional Medical Center. A family friend identifies the daughter as Nicole Kalister. All four people inside the home escaped without injury.

Betty's sister, Jennifer Hall, spoke to necn by phone.

"They'll be sorely missed by many people. Rick was an excellent doctor and he will be sorely missed and my sister will be sorely missed and Nicole," Hall began.

Hall says Nicole was attending Northeastern University, and the family was headed to Boston for orientation.

"This was her freshman year of college and she was very excited."

NTSB officials say a preliminary report on exactly what happened at 25 Bridle Path will be released in 10 to 14 days. They expect to be on scene for about two to three days examining the engine.

Hall describes Rick as someone who's been flying for a while.

"He had been taking flights down to the Caribbean with groups of others pilots." 

Kalister calmly told an air traffic controller he had no engine power minutes before impact, according to audio communications released Monday.

The Beechcraft BE36 was flying from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Norwood, Massachusetts.

Other officials said the medical examiner will be able to confirm the victims' identities, but that no formal identifications have been made as of yet. The information necn obtained in regards to the victims' identities is according to Starr Regional Hospital.

The hospital released the following statement:

"The members of the Starr Regional Medical Center family are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of Dr. Rick Kalister, his wife and daughter. He was an excellent doctor, an outstanding ED medical director and a respected, beloved member of our hospital team for the past 13 years. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the Kalister family during this very difficult time."

The family of four that lives in the Plainville home that was struck escaped safely. Neighbors have set up a GoFundMe account to support them. If you are interested in donating, click here.

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