By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
A small plane crashed near the Colusa-Glenn County line late Tuesday morning, killing its pilot, who was the sole occupant.
At about 10:55 a.m. on Aug. 9, Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of County Roads 71 and F for a report of a downed aircraft. The location of the crash was soon determined to be in Colusa County, just south of the Colusa-Glenn County line.
Besides the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, the Willows Fire Department, the Maxwell Fire Department, and Enloe Ambulance also responded.
According to the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office’s press release, they were told of the crash and fire at 11:06 a.m. The crash scene was found and the pilot was confirmed to be deceased.
At one point, a Glenn County deputy was heard on the scanner, saying he could not get close to the plane because of the fire.
The Colusa County press release stated, “At this time no additional information of the pilot is available.” However, the Glenn County Sheriff’s log gives the tail number, or N-number, of the plane: N51YX.
This number can guide one to numerous websites with useful information. The aircraft was a 2007 Sonex Waiex, a fixed-wing single-engine plane.
The builder (and, apparently, longtime owner) of this kit plane was Raymond A. Krause of Sacramento and Colusa. Apparently since June 4, the plane was co-owned by Jack R. Davis of Sacramento and Clinton B. Jewett of Colusa.
It is unknown if one of these three men was the pilot who was killed.
The plane was scheduled to depart Colusa County at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. It was last seen four minutes later.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are the primary agencies responsible for investigating the crash. The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with information call Lt. Jose Ruiz at 530-458-0200.
The Glenn County Observer 