Friday, April 3, 2015

ICAROS’ WINGS CUT: ULTRALIGHT PLANE CRASH NEAR PETALUMA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, CALIFORNIA LEAVES PILOT DEAD. RIP





APRIL 3, 2015

SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

From the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department  On April 3rd, 2015, at approximately 12:30 PM, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office received numerous reports that an ultra-light aircraft that had crashed in a rural area of Petaluma. 

The Sonoma County Sheriff’ Office Helicopter, Henry 1, along with patrol deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area and conducted a search for the aircraft.

While conducting an aerial search, Henry 1 located the crash site in a field approximately one half mile south-east east of the intersection of Frates Road and Adobe Road. The pilot, and sole occupant of the aircraft, was found deceased in the wreckage of the aircraft.

The cause of the aircraft crash was unknown and will be investigated by the N.T.S.B. (National Transportation Safety Board).

The identity of the deceased pilot will not be released pending the notification of the pilot’s next of kin.

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The pilot of an ultralight aircraft died Friday afternoon when the plane crashed in a rural area of Petaluma near the Petaluma Municipal Airport, Sonoma County sheriff’s officials said. 

Multiple people began calling 911 at about 12:30 p.m. to report a plane crash in an area of vineyards and fields southeast of the Adobe Creek Golf and Country Club and in the southeastern approach to the airport. 

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Lt. Greg Miller said the pilot of the craft was confirmed to have died in the crash about a half mile southeast of the intersection of Frates and Adobe roads. The identity of the pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not immediately available as coroner staff worked to notify the person’s family. 

Multiple witnesses described watching the craft spiral toward the ground.
Russel Fones, 34, of Petaluma was out walking on paths off Cypress Drive near Shollenberger Park when he heard a noise, looked up and saw a small plane spiraling downward.

“I thought he was just doing a stunt but he just kept going straight down until he disappeared below the horizon,” Fones said. 

“Ten seconds later I heard it go boom when it hit the ground,” he said.
Then he saw fire trucks and other emergency vehicles rushing toward the area.
The sheriff’s helicopter crew Henry 1 was at the scene, along with emergency personnel and ambulances. A CHP helicopter was also heading to the area.
www.pressdemocrat.com







Considering the numerous crashes and deaths and injuries, these ultralight planes appear to be a death wish.  We, at least, hope that these pilots had enough fun worth dying for.  RIP, friend; see you on the other side when our time comes.