The Region - News from June 9, 1986

A Civil Air Patrol plane crashed and exploded 10 miles north of Bishop, injuring the pilot and two passengers. Pilot Richard Richmond, 37, of Los Angeles, and passenger David Widrig, 30, of Fullerton were taken to Memorial Medical Center of Long Beach, where they were reported in serious condition with back injuries. Passenger Leroy Richmond, 61, Richard Richmond’s father, was reported in satisfactory condition at Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop, where he was treated for rib and spine fractures. Authorities said the crash of Richmond’s Bonanza 35, in the Swall Meadows community at the base of the Sierra, may have been due to engine failure.