Newlywed GE Aerospace engineer among victims killed in Wichita flight crash over DC
Every photo on Vikesh Patel’s online wedding page shows a couple glowing with love.
In Paris.
On a sailboat.
In the snowy woods.
On a beach on a chilly day: Patel, proposing on one knee, slipping the engagement ring on his future bride’s hand.
On April 19, 2024, Patel and Audrey Keene had just become newlyweds.
“Hindu Ceremony: Semi-formal attire including Indian traditional, mid-length and floor length dresses, dressy jumpsuits, and suits (ties optional),” the site declared. “Traditionally the bride wears red for the Hindu ceremony and guests are encouraged to wear bright colors for the celebration!”
On Jan. 29, at close to 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Patel died along with 66 others when an ascending Black Hawk helicopter, with a crew of three, and an American Airlines jet that had come from Wichita and was descending into Reagan Washington National Airport, collided midair above the Potomac River.
There were no survivors.
Reached by telephone, Patel’s father, Dipak Patel, of Havre de Grace, Maryland, said he did not want to talk other than to say, “He was my son.”
Patel’s LinkedIn page indicates that he was an engineer who had worked for 11 years and 8 months for GE Aerospace. In 2012, he had earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In 2015, he’d earned a master’s degree in logistics, materials and supply chain management from Penn State University.
“This is a tragedy not only for our industry, but also for the GE Aerospace team as one of our cherished colleagues, Vikesh Patel, was onboard the flight,” Larry Culp, chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, said in a statement following the collision. “Our hearts are with his family and all those impacted by this horrific accident.”
Some 74 others on a news sites that named Patel as a victim in the collision shared the sentiment.
“So very sad & newly married. . .worked hard to achieve his goals & so sorry for his wife & family,” wrote one.
“My husband works for GE,” wrote another too,” said another, “and he said he was just recently married and just bought their 1st house. Praying for his wife and family.”
“Man! He was one of the most funniest people when I was working security at GE!”
Wrote one, and did many: “Prayers for all.”
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Newlywed GE Aerospace engineer among victims killed in Wichita flight crash over DC."
