How did the Charlotte Bobcats franchise co-owner William “Skipper” Beck die?
ROCK HILL, S.C. — A North Carolina businessman who was a co-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats has died in a single-engine plane crash. Authorities say 49-year-old William “Skipper” Beck of Charlotte, N.C., died in the crash around 7:15 a.m. Friday at a local airport in South Carolina just across the state line from Charlotte. The York County coroner and the Federal Aviation Administration say Beck was the only person aboard the Cirrus SR22. Witnesses say the plane returned shortly after takeoff but crashed as it tried to land and caught fire. An Internet flight tracking site says the plane flew from New Jersey to Rock Hill on Wednesday. Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson issued a statement saying that Beck was instrumental in bringing the NBA team to the area.
The Charlotte Bobcats franchise mourned the loss of co-owner William “Skipper” Beck on Friday after the North Carolina businessman died in a plane accident earlier in the day. Beck, 49, was killed when the single-engine plane he was piloting crashed at the Rock Hill York County Airport shortly after taking off, the Charlotte Observer reported. “The entire Bobcats Sports & Entertainment family mourns the loss of our partner and great friend Skipper Beck,” majority owner Robert L. Johnson said in a statement on the NBA team’s website (www.nba.com/bobcats). “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. “Skipper loved basketball and was instrumental in bringing the Bobcats to Charlotte. As an owner, he was without question the Bobcats greatest fan. We will miss him at courtside.” Sources: http://www.reuters.
