Two people killed in glider crash that sparked Slide Fire identified
Mike Higdon, Reno Gazette Journal
September 10, 2018
A 1-hour timelapse shows smoke from the Slide Fire on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. Desert Research Institute webcam, Western Regional Climate Center, Reno
(Photo: Bob Harmon, Washoe County Sheriff's Office)
On Sept. 2, a glider airplane crashed into Slide Mountain near Washoe Valley and Mt. Rose Ski Resort, killing two people and sparking a brush fire.
The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the two people as Sergio Colacevich, 80, of Carmichael, California, and James Alton, 60, of San Ramon, California. They were pronounced dead at the scene and later identified by dental records.
Autopsies were performed Sept. 4, but the cause of death for both men has not yet been determined, according to the examiner's office.
The glider took off from the Truckee Tahoe Airport on Sept. 2, according to Hardy Bullock, director of aviation and community services. The crash, which happened at about 2 p.m., is suspected to have sparked a 64-acre wildfire just below the Mt. Rose Ski Resort on Slide Mountain.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.
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NTSB investigating yesterday's crash of Schempp-Hirth Motor Glider in New Washoe City, NV.
The U.S. Forest Service says the 80-acre Slide Fire is now 10% contained. Crews are fighting the fire through the air and ground.
Truckee Meadows Fire and other agencies responded to the brush fire on Sunday which was caused from a small recreational aircraft that crashed above Davis Creek in Washoe Valley.
Authorities report at least one death from the crash. Washoe County will conduct the death investigation along with the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office.
Washoe County is helping the FAA, but the FAA is handling the aircraft crash portion of the investigation. The NTSB is also helping with the aircraft crash investigation.
There are no structures threatened by the resulting fire.
US 395 Alternate was temporarily closed in both directions but is now back open.
Washoe County is assisting with air support, and search and rescue. They have confirmed that it is one aircraft, but have not made contact with the pilot or anyone.
For the next several days, the public will see occasional smoke from flare up of fuels burning out. The fire’s interior has pockets of excessive brush and timber. These flare ups are well within containment lines. Do not report them as firefighters are on scene and working them.
There is a total of 160 personnel on the Slide Fire. Resources include eight engines, four hand crews, four helicopters, and numerous overhead. Additional air resource will be used if needed
(Forest Service contributed to this report.)
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Narrative:
A Duo Discus T (sustainer engine) crashed at a hill site. Both occupants died in the crash.
The crash ignited a fire on the hill site.
Sources:
http://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Plane-crash-above-Bowers-Mansion-sparks-fire-492294501.html?ref=hvper.com
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.aviation.soaring/QLrMnSLN_xQ
https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=22XC
https://goo.gl/images/Jhtihy
http://picssr.com/tags/n22xc
| Date: | 02-SEP-2018 |
| Time: | 1:35 pm |
| Type: |  Schempp Hirth Duo Discus T |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N22XC |
| C/n / msn: | 72 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Slide Mountain - Reno -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Truckee-Tahoe |
| Truckee-Tahoe |