LODD: Nevada Air Tanker Crash Victims Identified

Tanker 09 LODD

The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s office has identified the three victims of the air tanker crash that occurred at the Reno Stead Airport on Monday as Zachary Jake Vander Griend, 25 from Missoula, Mont., Gregory Jess Gonsioroski, 41 from Baker, Mont.and Calvin Gene Wahlstrom, 61 Huntsville, Utah.

The initial cause of death for each of the three victims was listed as “multiple injuries sustained in an accident.” Supervising deputy coroner Sarah Mildebrandt said more information should be available today. The men were identified through fingerprints, Mildebrandt said.
“Families have been notified, I met with them today, we made all of the identifications, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office assisted us with that,” Mildebrandt she said.

No information was available on funeral arrangements with the families making them individually, Mildebrandt said. In a press release, the medical examiner’s office said it passed the information along to the National Transportation Safety Board shortly after notifying victims’ family members Wednesday.

The Lockheed P2V-7 crashed shortly after take off Monday evening from Reno Stead Airport. It was owned by Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Mont., and built in 1962; one of 12 the company had on contract with the Forest Service to fight fires.
Updated from: http://www.neptuneaviation.com/
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Gene Wahlstrom

Greg Gonsioroski Zachary VanderGriend

More Information Cards and letters may be sent for the Gonsioroski Family, Wahlstrom Family, VanderGriend Family c/o Neptune Aviation Services, Inc. 2 Corporate Way Missoula, MT 59808 If anyone has any information or pictures they would like to send to Neptune Click Here to send an email. More information will be added as it becomes available regarding service information. Gene Wahlstrom was the Captain of T09 and Chief Pilot for Neptune Aviation. He began his professional flying career as a crop duster and combined that job with drag racing and working as a lineman for the power company. He began his history in airtankers with Black Hills Aviation out of Alamogordo, New Mexico and has over 35 years in the aviation industry. In the early 80's he decided to join the US Forest Service as a Lead Plane Pilot and worked his way into a supervisory position. He spent many years and developed many friendships with individuals at the Forest Service. However, the airtanker industry was calling Gene's name and he answered by joining the Neptune team in 1999. Gene was an excellent leader and mentor for many people at Neptune. One of Gene's greatest qualities was his loyalty to his friends, family and Netptune Aviation. He was a great communicator and was an excellent Chief Pilot, respected by all who knew him. Gene is greatly loved and will be remembered as a kind, genuine, accomplished and dedicated member of our Neptune family. Greg Gonsioroski, "Gonzo", was the First Officer of T09 and has been with Neptune for fifteen years. Greg began his career at Neptune as an A&P mechanic. He continued on to get his pilot's license. He flew support aircraft during the summer months and was a mechanic in the shop during the off-season. He was able to gather flight hours and shortly thereafter began training as a First Officer for Neptune. Greg was dedicated to becoming an airtanker Captain and was well on his way. He received his type rating for the P2V in the spring of 2006. Greg was a superior mechanic as well as a dedicated and knowledgeable First Officer. He was a family man with great integrity. He loved his wife and three children and always offered to share family moments with coworkers and friends. Greg made a lasting impression on his friends at Neptune as a kind, fun loving, caring competent man. A memorial has been established for the Gonsioroski children c/o Wellsfargo Bank P.O. Box 699 Baker, MT 59313 Zachary VanderGriend was one of the newest members of Neptune's team and was welcomed warmly into the fold. He came to us as an eager, driven, and energetic A&P mechanic. He was as happy to be with Neptune as we were to have him. Zachary was also a pilot and dreamed of flying from the early age of two. He got his pilot's license when he was seventeen and spent much of his time in volunteer programs such as the Young Eagles. He made a great impression on everyone he came in contact with. Zachary was enthusiastic about his job and a joy to be around. On behalf of all of us at Neptune, we want to express our deepest gratitude and love for the crew of T09 and their families. Gene, Greg and Zach will live forever in the memories of everyone at Neptune Aviation.

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Source: Reno Gazette Journal

More information on the crash and the NTSB investigation can be found at the following link: Fed investigators perplexed by Reno tanker crash

Editor's Note: California Fire News extends condolences and prayers to the families, friends and co-workers of the three victims of the crash.