LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The pilot of a small gyrocopter died on Thursday after crashing near Lakeport.
Initial radio reports of the crash came in shortly after 11:15 a.m. from near Konocti Vista Casino Resort.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft — initially described as a helicopter or glider — directly east of Soda Bay Road toward the lake. They reported it going down somewhere between the casino and South Main Street in Lakeport.
Sheriff Brian Martin confirmed to Lake County News that the aircraft appeared to be a gyrocopter, a small type of rotorcraft.
Firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol responded, with a CHP helicopter helping conduct the search. Incident command was established at Konocti Vista Casino’s dock.
Radio traffic indicated deputies and firefighters were challenged with reaching the crash site, and searching through tules described as 12 feet high.
The CHP helicopter cleared the scene just before 12:15 p.m. after being unable to locate the gyrocopter.
Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy reported finding the downed craft in the tules, with one person dead inside, according to radio traffic.
Sheriff Martin said the crash scene was about a mile out from shore and they were working on logistics to reach it.
Incident command traffic said the site could only be reached by foot or by helicopter, although an airboat later was reported to be responding.
The sheriff’s office has notified the Federal Aviation Administration about the crash, Martin said.
More information will be published as it becomes available.
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Pilot killed in gyrocopter crash near Lakeport
- Elizabeth Larson
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