Two killed in Thursday plane crash

Two people were killed after a small-engine airplane crashed Thursday afternoon during a failed landing attempt at Truckee Tahoe Airport.

This story was first reported at 2:25 p.m. Thursday at www.sierrasun.com.

Placer County Sheriff's Office Lt. Allan Carter said Truckee Tahoe Airport received a transmission from the aircraft's pilot, who informed personnel the plane was making a left-hand turn on approach to land.

Another plane was waiting to take off until the first aircraft landed, Carter said, but the airport never heard from it again. Minutes later, Carter said, the airport received a phone call from someone who had either seen the crash or come across the wreckage.

Truckee Tahoe Airport personnel were the first on scene, Carter said. Carter and PCSO Deputy Dave Hunt confirmed the plane's unidentified pilot and passenger were killed. The names of both will not be released until next-of-kin are notified.

Hunt said emergency crews had to wait for National Transportation Safety Board authorities to arrive Thursday afternoon to clear the scene before they could remove the bodies or move forward.

The crash occurred just east of the airport, off State Highway 267 in the Martis Valley, a couple miles north of Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort. The initial call came out over the police scanner around 2:15 p.m.

Visit www.sierrasun.com on Friday for updates to this story.