MIT Scientist and Expectant Father Killed in Beverly Plane Crash; Investigation Underway

The victim of a deadly plane crash in Massachusetts has been identified as a young but experienced pilot who was about to become a father. MIT scientist Geoffrey Andrews, 30, has been remembered by his heartbroken relatives

A young and accomplished MIT scientist, Geoffrey Andrews, 30, has been identified as the pilot killed in a fatal plane crash just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The single-engine aircraft, a Mooney M20F, went down on Thursday morning shortly after takeoff from Beverly Airport.

Andrews, a highly experienced pilot and soon-to-be father, was flying with one passenger who remains hospitalized in serious condition. The crash occurred at approximately 9 a.m. on Sam Fonzo Drive in Beverly. According to investigators, witnesses reported seeing black smoke coming from the belly of the plane, suggesting possible engine failure.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed a single-engine Mooney M20F aircraft hit the ground on Sam Fonzo Drive in Beverly, on the north-east outskirts of Boston, just before 9am on Thursday

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a formal investigation into the crash.

In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Andrews' wife, Gentry—who is six months pregnant—wrote that her husband appeared to have executed standard emergency procedures after the engine issue. “Per witnesses in the tower, his response was textbook,” she wrote. “But the plane still went down and he died on impact. Ever the gentleman, he did his best to save the life of his passenger.”

Andrews' wife, Gentry, wrote on Instagram that she believed his plane (pictured above) 'experienced a serious engine issue' shortly after takeoff from Beverly Airport on Thursday

Andrews was en route to upstate New York for a final camping trip before the arrival of their baby daughter. Gentry recently endured the loss of her mother and described Geoffrey as her unwavering support system.

Andrews was remembered as a vibrant, charismatic man with an array of passions, including music, baking, photography, scuba diving, and flying. His family shared on a GoFundMe page that he was “so excited about the upcoming birth of their baby,” and “almost always seen sporting a bow tie and a smile.”

Andrews was a staff scientist at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and a doctoral graduate of Purdue University, and Lehigh University where he was a visiting lecturer

He served as a staff scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and held a doctoral degree from Purdue University. A visiting lecturer at Lehigh University, Andrews was pursuing his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification and had long dreamed of becoming an astronaut. He had logged many hours as a ferry pilot, glider pilot, and aerobatic flyer.

First responders from the Beverly Police and Fire Departments arrived on the scene shortly after the crash was reported. The plane had sustained significant damage and was found resting against a utility pole. Andrews was pronounced dead at the scene, while the injured passenger was airlifted to a hospital.

Gentry said her husband had been flying to upstate New York to enjoy one last camping trip before the birth of their baby daughter in three months' time

There were no additional injuries or property damage reported on the ground. The aircraft’s wreckage, partially upright with severe damage to the wings and fuselage, was located along a wooded road.

The aviation community and MIT colleagues have expressed deep sorrow at the loss of Andrews, whose life was marked by scientific excellence, personal warmth, and an adventurous spirit.