Six confirmed dead in plane crash close to Lake Tahoe
Six people died aboard the airplane that crashed near Lake Tahoe on Monday, authorities said Wednesday — marking three more deaths than were initially reported.
All six people aboard the twin engine jet that crashed while approaching TruckeeTahoe Airport on Monday afternoon died in the crash, Andrew Trygg, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff ’s Office told The Chronicle.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, Trygg said, pointing to the crash scene and subsequent fire, saying “we are having to use DNA evidence to confirm the identities.”
“This is a slow process,” Trygg said. “Once names are available we will be sure to release them to the media.”
Officials initially reported that three people died in the crash. Federal Aviation Administra
tion officials said Tuesday that authorities were investigating whether a fourth person was killed.
The Bombardier CL 600 aircraft crashed into a wooded area near the Truckee’s Ponderosa Golf Course on Reynolds Way, which is located a few blocks from the airport.
During a Truckee Tahoe Airport District board meeting on Wednesday afternoon, officials said the cause of the crash was still undetermined.
Several residents who attended the meeting in person — many of whom choked back tears — expressed concerns about the frequency with which aircraft depart and arrive at the airport, pointing to reports of planes appearing to travel low over homes in the area.
Residents said Monday’s fatal crash is the second plane crash to occur near homes in a roughly twomonth period. Some residents said they took issue with how airport officials described the the site of crash as a heavily wooded area, instead describing the site as a “heavily residential neighborhood.” Some said they were worried planes would crash into their homes.
One resident, who said he is a firefighter who responded to the scene as a civilian, said “had weather conditions been different, that fireball would have been a significant event
for this community.” He said the crash occurred roughly 30 feet from a home.
“We are very fortunate... that the plane went down between areas that were de
fendable and wouldn’t burn,” he said. “We’re also extremely lucky that plane didn’t hit a school bus full of sixthgraders. Something needs to change. This can’t continue.”
Lauren Hernández is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez