CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Aircraft Down/Fire - Two dead

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Aircraft Down/Fire - Two dead - Kern County

Two people were killed Saturday when their single-engine plane crashed in Kern County and ignited a grass fire that burned about 2.5 acres, authorities said.

Sean Collins, a spokesman for the Kern County Fire Department, said the plane went down about 1:30 p.m. on Old Town Road just west of Tehachapi. About 40 firefighters extinguished the resulting blaze.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified about the crash, Collins said.

Updated Further details:

A Morrison Colorado fire official and the manager of a California airport died when the small plane they were piloting crashed in Tehachapi, Calif., on Saturday.

Robert Chamberlain, president of the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District's board, and David Zweigle, manager of the Tehachapi airport were piloting a small, military-type training jet, when the crash occurred at 12:30 p.m. Denver time.

Chamberlain played a critical role in improving services, equipment and stations.

"He was a loyal supporter of Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue and our firefighters, serving the citizens of the district," Dave MacBean, Chief of Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue said in a statement.

"We will sorely miss his sage advice and friendship. We are profoundly stunned at the early passing of a good man. We are providing support to his family," MacBean said.

Chamberlain retired as a United States Air Force Colonel in 1990 and retired as a Captain and Flight Examiner with United Air Lines in 2006.

Robert Chamberlain is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Memorial services are pending.

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How fires get their names

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CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Aircraft Down/Fire - Two dead - Kern County

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