From a story written by Capt Julia Bachtell and Lt Brandon Hanson:

On March 22, 2003, the Iowa Wing suffered a tragic loss when Chaplain (Maj.) Christie Battle, 55, was killed in the crash of an Iowa Wing Cessna 182.

Battle was serving as the instructor pilot for Lt Jim Johnson of Oskaloosa.  Johnson, a private pilot, was flown by Air Care helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City with broken ribs and a broken arm.  Battle was pronounced dead at the the scene by local authorities.

The flight was a routine VFR training flight which originated in Ankeny.

The crash occurred at 4:30 pm, about 300 feet from the White Pigeon Airport near North English, a private field used for training.

Battle joined CAP in 1995 and was serving as the Iowa Wing's chaplain and was a mission, instructor and check pilot.  She also held multiengine and commercial ratings.

In October 2000, Battle was awarded the Gill Robb Wilson Award, which represents the highest level of senior member training.  She attended several chaplain regional colleges and was involved in chaplain programs at the national level.  She enjoyed flying, helping those in need, church activities, and her extended CAP family.

"Chaplain Battle was an outstanding member of the Iowa Wing," said Iowa Wing Commander Col. Russ Smith.  "Like all of our CAP volunteers, she contributed so much of her own time and resources to helping people in her community.  We are all deeply saddened by this loss."

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the cause of the accident.