Small-plane pilot killed in crash miles from Bay Area airport
A pilot was killed after his small plane crashed near the Bay Area city of Novato, officials said Tuesday.
The wreckage of a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was discovered early Tuesday after it sparked a small brush fire seven miles west of Gnoss Field Airport, KTVU-TV reported.
The pilot, who was not immediately identified, was flying from Brookings, Ore., to San Carlos, Calif., when he reported the engine trouble about 9:30 p.m. Monday, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The pilot told air traffic controllers he would try to fly to the airport in Novato, but by then, officials had lost radio and radar contact, Gregor said.
The pilot was believed to be the only person on board.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. The NTSB will release a preliminary report about the crash in one to two weeks.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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