Micron CEO Steve Appleton dies in Idaho plane crash, cause unknown

A plane crash in Boise, Idaho has claimed the life of Micron CEO Steve Appleton. He was 51. Boise Airport officials say that Appleton's experimental fixed wing single engine Lancair crashed shortly after takeoff at 8:58am local time Friday after attempting an emergency landing. NTSB officials say that witnesses reported the plane climbing about 100 to 200 feet, then attempting to turn before falling to the ground.

According to Boise NBC affiliate KTVB-TV, Appleton is heard shortly after taking off telling air traffic controllers: "I'd like to turn back in... and land. Coming back in." In the background of the audio from air traffic control a woman is heard saying "oh my god" repeatedly. The station has refused to release the remainder of the audio due to its senstitive content.

NASDAQ halted trading of Micron's stock Friday afternoon as the news broke and remained closed through the end of trading. Officials allowed the resumption of trading in afterhours, and the stock is down four percent as of Friday evening.

"Our hearts go out to his wife, Dalynn, his children and his family during this tragic time", the company's board of directors say in a statement. "Steve's passion and energy left an indelible mark on Micron, the Idaho community and the technology industry at large".

Appleton was an avid pilot, and Friday's incident was not his first accident. In 2004, he crashed a plane south of Boise after reportedly flying too close to the ground according to results of an NTSB investigation. Both himself and a passenger walked away from the incident with minor injuries.