Small Plane Crashes In El Dorado Hills, 1 Dead

Update: El Dorado County Sheriff Office
Press Release - For Immediate Release

April 17, 2009 Airplane Crash
On April 17, 2009, at about 5:10 p.m., El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office personnel
responded to a report of an airplane crash in El Dorado Hills.

Responding law enforcement and Fire/Rescue units located the site of the crash on
Crown Drive just west of El Dorado Hills Boulevard.

This area is a moderately developed residential sub-division and the impact was in-between two residences.

No structures where damaged or involved.

The wreckage was of a single engine Sportsman GS-2 Experimental aircraft.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene. No other persons are believed to have
occupied the airplane at the time of the crash.

The identity of the decedent will not be released until identification has been made and
next of kin have been notified.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will, in conjunction with
the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Unit, conduct an investigation into the cause
of the incident.

Further information contact:
Sergeant Phil Chovanec
530-621-7400 x8389
530-890-0260 pager
Source: El Dorado County Sheriff - Link

UPDATE Below (With picture)
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. (CBS13)
A small aircraft has crashed into the front yard of a residence on Queen Ann Court off of Crown Drive near El Dorado Hills Blvd, according to El Dorado County Fire Department.

One fatality has been reported, but it is unsure if it is the pilot or a bystander.

According to authorities, the small aircraft crashed in between two homes on Queen Ann Court in El Dorado Hills.

It is unknown at this time where the small aircraft took off from.

There are no reports of structural damage, according to El Dorado County authorities

~~~~~~~~~~
Other News Items:
News 10: Small Plane Crashes in El Dorado Hills Driveway
KCRA 3: Plane Goes Down In El Dorado Hills; 1 Killed

Update from KCRA (7:56 pm) :
A small plane has gone down in El Dorado Hills, according to dispatchers in Camino. At least one person was killed.

The Sportsman GS-2 plane crashed on a driveway between two homes on Crown Drive in El Dorado Hills.

It's unknown if the person who was killed was on the ground or in the plane.

A "mayday" signal was reported prior to the crash, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said.

It's unknown how many people were on board at the time of the crash, or to which airport the plane was headed.

There was little damage done to the nearby homes. The wreckage was contained to a small area. Foam from the fire extinguishers covered the ground. Officials are unsure if there were any other people inside the aircraft. The FAA will investigate the crash

Update from KCRA (11:00 pm)
Wilton Man Killed In El Dorado Hills Plane Crash
'Mayday' Signal Reported

Wilton resident Thomas Alexander, 60, was killed.Alexander's wife confirmed his remains.

Officials said the Sportsman GS-2 plane, which is considered an experimental aircraft, crashed on a driveway between two homes on Crown Drive.

A "mayday" signal was reported prior to the crash, El Dorado County sheriff's Sgt. Phil Chovanecas said.

The victim appeared to be the aircraft's pilot.

It's unknown to which airport the plane was headed.

Chovanecas said the plane caught fire but there was no damage to either house and no injuries on the ground.

Foam from fire extinguishers covered the ground nearby.

One witness said she heard "branches breaking" and crushing sounds as the plane went down. She said she also saw "a lot of fire" and smoke. A neighbor's car was hit with debris, she said, and the experience was "terrifying."

Chovanecas said the National Transportation Safety Board had been contacted and would conduct an investigation to try to determine the cause of the crash.

Officials are unsure if there were any other people inside the aircraft.