Federal investigators examine crash site

Federal investigators Sunday examined the site of a single-engine plane crash that sent four people to the hospital, including a man who was pinned beneath the wreckage when the plane landed on him in his backyard.

"At this time we are still gathering facts and interviewing witnesses and are unable to give any causes for the accident," said Larry Cheeks, Aviation Safety Inspector heading up the investigation for the National Transportation Safety Board.

Robert Griffin, 62, was watering the lawn in his backyard in the 4400 block of Apollo Drive when the plane, piloted by Carson City physician Kevin Jensen, fell from the sky at about 8 p.m. on Saturday. Griffin was trapped underneath the tail of the plane which landed upside down feet from Griffin's home.

The Griffin yard sits about 300 feet from the end of the Carson City Airport runway.

Griffin was extracated from the wreckage and taken to Washoe Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Saturday night and was listed in serious but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit. Jensen and his wife, Lois, were taken to Carson-Tahoe Hospital.

Kevin Jensen underwent surgery Saturday night and was listed in stable condition, Lois Jensen was taken by helicopter to Washoe Medical Center where she was treated and released Sunday.

According to Carson City Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Scott Burau, witnesses and the pilot told investigators the engine was not running when it clipped trees and powerlines before landing in the Griffin yard.

Fuel doesn't appear to be a factor because firefighters were called in to mop up leakage which resulted in the crash.