Posted on 05/31/2004 7:53:25 PM PDT by nuconvert
Two Die in Calif. Plane Crash; Deputy Dies on Way to Scene
The Associated Press
May 31, 2004
COLUMBIA, Calif. (AP) - After a small plane crashed Monday in central California, killing two people, a sheriff's deputy on his way to the scene died when he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a tree, authorities said. The Piper aircraft, registered out of Gardnerville, Nev., crashed shortly after taking off from the Columbia airport late Monday morning. Witnesses said the plane sputtered and fell to the ground, bursting into flames upon impact and starting a small brush fire that was quickly extinguished.
A Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department deputy responding to the plane crash lost control of his vehicle on Highway 49, said Sgt. Roger Dittberner. The deputy was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The deputy's name was withheld pending notification of relatives, but Dittberner said he was a 26-year veteran of law enforcement who had worked for the sheriff's department for 15 years.
National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration officials were making their way to the crash site Monday to investigate.
Columbia, about 60 miles east of Stockton, is in the heart of California's gold country.
How sad. Columbia is such a wonderful place to visit. It is a preserved and restored gold rush town in the heart of the California gold country.
Not much sense in rushing to a plane crash when the plane bursts into flames. The occupants are almost always dead. The only other possibility is a heart attack or some other medical emergency with the deputy.
Nonetheless, my prayers are with those who perished in the aircraft, and with the police officer who perished in his response, and all those who will mourn their passing.....
Mine too. I have a son who is an airline captain.
Oh man, God rest their souls.
Why is the federal gov't in the investigation?
The feds don't get involved when people die in
car related deaths.
Are people who die in planes more valuable than
others?
Is there a reason to suspect sabotage
or terrorism?
I believe they investigate every plane crash.
The FAA is always involved in plane crashes. No worries - no terrorism or anything else suspected.
That was my grandfather who died in that crash folks.Thank you for your prayers!!! I will print this out and pass it along to the family.
SIncerely Ryan P Tucker
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll pray for your Grandfather, and for your family. My parents live in Twain Harte, so I know the area well.
My grandfather loved to fly ,he died doing what he loved..Thanks to you all for your kind words.
I'm sort of at a loss for words right now,but my condolences go out to you Bill and to Melanies family,I know this is hard for all of us. I wasn't fortunate enough to meet Melanie,but if she knew my grandfather she had to be an outstanding lady,my god bless them both.
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