Family Escapes Sinking Plane in Lake Tahoe Crash
A San Diego family escaped serious injury Monday when their small plane crashed into Lake Tahoe and sank in about 20 feet of water.
El Dorado County sheriff’s officials identified the pilot as Eric Svelmoe, 33. Svelmoe’s wife, Carolyn, and the couple’s three daughters, ages 7, 5 and 3, were also in the plane.
The family, on an aerial sightseeing tour of the lake, was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe. A hospital spokeswoman said they were treated for minor injuries and released.
Authorities said the crash occurred about 12:42 p.m. when the South Lake Tahoe Airport received a distress call from the aircraft moments before it went down. Investigators said they did not know the cause of the crash.
The single-engine Piper Aero plunged into the chilly water near Camp Richardson, about 150 yards from shore. It is not known who owned the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
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