Death toll in Truckee plane crash increases to 6
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Truckee-plane-crash-fatalities-airport-16347214.php
The death toll in a plane crash that occurred near a golf course in Truckee, Calif., on Monday, has increased to six, officials said Wednesday.
A Federal Aviation Administration accident report posted online Tuesday showed that there were four fatalities, but Nevada County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Andrew Trygg confirmed Wednesday that six people died.
The FAA report said the aircraft "crashed under unknown circumstances short of the runway and caught on fire."
The Bombardier CL 600 jet crashed while the pilot was attempting to land at Truckee-Tahoe Airport at 1:18 p.m., the FAA said in an email statement Monday.
The Truckee-Tahoe Airport said in a statement posted on Facebook that the aircraft was approaching runway 11 "when it impacted heavily treed terrain" adjacent to the airport along Reynold Way.
The names of those on board have not been released.
"We haven’t positively identified anyone on that aircraft," Shannan Moon, the Nevada County coroner, said at a Monday night media briefing. "We’re not releasing any of the potential names or any things that … we’ve been hearing some surmising on some questions as to who was on that aircraft. At this time, we haven’t confirmed any positive identifications, so we’re not releasing any information …"
The aircraft burst into flames and triggered a small wildfire near Ponderosa Golf Course.
"There’s not much intact at the crash scene," Moon said.
Firefighters contained flames immediately, and officials said there is no threat to Truckee. Some residents living on Stewart Court and Reynold Way were evacuated, according to the Sierra Sun.
There were no people on the ground harmed or structures damaged.
"We’re very fortunate that it landed where it did and that no structures or people on the ground were harmed," said Deverie Acuff, a spokesperson with the Truckee Police Department.
Officials didn't share the plane's origin, but on the report, the FAA listed the tail number, which can be used to look up the plane's activity log. The plane was traveling from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, according to Flight Aware.
While the Tahoe Basin was impacted by wildfire smoke Monday, an airport spokesperson said the hazy conditions didn't restrict aircraft from landing or taking off at the airport.
The plane made radio contact with the tower before it crashed, but what was said hasn't been shared.
The Truckee airport announced it will be closed until Tuesday. The Truckee Police Department said Reynold Way is closed.
This model of aircraft can hold up to 14 passengers and two crew members, Acuff said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the incident is under investigation.
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