Missouri City pilot killed in plane crash leaves legacy

Friday, November 29, 2019
MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- A beloved Missouri City family was tragically killed in a plane crash in Canada the day before Thanksgiving.

All seven lives onboard were lost and five of them are believed to be a family from Missouri City.
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READ MORE: Friend confirms family from Missouri City killed in plane crash

Otabek Oblokulov, 37, and his family made a trip up to Canada. It was a tradition to travel this time of year.

"As far as we know, he flew in to have dinner with friends," said Askarli Karimov, a friend of the family.



Karimov said on board the plane was Oblokulov, his wife, their 10-year-old daughter, and two sons, who were 15 and 5-years-old.

Along with them, were two family members who live in Canada.
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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada transported the plane's wreckage for further examination as officials work to figure out what caused Wednesday's crash.



"We're kind of attached as a family, like a brother. It's really sad right now. It's devastating," said Khufoyor Ortikov, also a friend.

Anson Aviation says the pilot was well-known by the pilot community.



He received a private pilot certificate in May 2018. According to president of Anson Aviation Dana C. Atkinson, they helped Oblokulov find and buy a plane from a third party in February.

Oblokulov's friends say his parents live in Uzbekistan and has a brother living in Qatar.
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The loss is hard to bear.

"Imagine grandchildren and your children are gone," said Karimov.

Loved ones are coming together in their honor to remember a family that's left a lasting legacy on this community.

"(It's a) very tight knit community, said friend Dilmurod Adkhamov. "At this moment, it is our responsibility to protect his legacy."



A GoFundMe page was created to help the family. For more information, click here.

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