R.I.P William 'Skipper' Beck

September 11, 2009, for us we are remembering the ones that we lost in September 11, 2001. But for the Charlotte Bobcats and the Beck family, they are mourning the lost of their co-owner William 'Skipper' Beck. Beck died Friday in a plane crash around 7:15 AM 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 piloting the aircraft and wad the only person aboard the Cirrus SR22. He was 49.

Witnesses say the plane returned shortly after taking off but then crashed as it tried to land and caught on fire. An Internet flight tracking site says that the plane flew from New Jersey to Rock Hill on Wednesday.

On the day that one of his co-workers is getting inducted to the Hall of Fame, Beck passes away. They are still now answers into what happened that caused the plane to crash and catch fire.

Here is a statement from majority owner Robert L. Johnson:

"The entire Bobcats Sports & Entertainment family mourns the loss of our partner and friend Skipper Beck. 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."

Rest in Peace Skipper, you will truly be missed.