Julian
The county coroner has identified a retired Navy mechanic as the pilot of the lightweight plane that crashed and burned Sunday afternoon near Julian.
Jesse Richard Carnes, 63, of Imperial Beach, was flying his home-made, single-propeller plane en route to Brown Field when he crashed and died instantly in a fire.
The crash occurred in brush about 75 yards northeast of Woodland Road, and firefighters extinguished the fire quickly.
Carnes, an aircraft mechanic and retired master chief petty officer, served in the Navy from 1941-71. He spent about seven years building the plywood and fiberglass plane, according to his wife, Bertha.
There are no plans for a memorial service and Carnes’ ashes will be scattered at sea.
In addition to his wife, Carnes is survived by his sons Christopher, 32, of Claremont and Peter, 37, of San Luis Obispo.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
