Coralville man identified as plane crash victim

TIFFIN — A University of Iowa doctor and clinical professor has been identified as the victim in Sunday’s fatal plane crash.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday identified the pilot as Dr. Dale Bieber, 73, of Coralville. According to the University of Iowa, Bieber was a clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and internist with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics since 2007.

“As a physician, he was highly regarded for his expertise, compassion and care for his patients and their families,” said Dr. Brooks Jackson, UI vice president for medical affairs. “As an educator and role model, he influenced generations of medical students and resident physicians with his experience, professionalism and good humor.”

A post on Bieber’s death attributed to his wife, Carla, has circulated on social media.

“Tonight I struggle to even breath past the weight of the loss I feel,” the post reads. “I am comforted only in remembering that he was an amazing, kind man who gave me (and others) so much in his lifetime.”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Bieber was the owner of the Cessna T210M fixed-wing, single-engine plane that crashed.

Deputies were called to the crash scene at 3:52 p.m. Sunday at 250th Street and Greencastle Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing a plane near the Green Castle Airport and later seeing it crash into a field.

At this time, the FAA is attributing the crash to “unknown circumstances,” according to an online summary.

The crash remains under investigation.

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