Pilot flying out of Minden airport killed in crash

A man who flew out of Minden-Tahoe Airport died in a plane crash in Woodfords, Calif., before noon on Tuesday.

The pilot was the only one in the acrobatic aluminum plane, according to Alpine County Sheriff John Crawford, who said he couldn't release the victim's name until next of kin were notified.

The sheriff's department was notified of the accident at approximately 11:50 a.m., Crawford said.

"We had a number of calls," he said. "We immediately responded to the scene and located the crash site with one single occupant inside.

"Deputies on the scene pronounced the pilot deceased."

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration had been notified and officials were en route about 2 p.m., according to Crawford.

The aircraft came down next to the West Fork of the Carson River off Carson River Ranch Road.

"We haven't had an aircraft go down in a number of years here," Crawford said.

Responding to the scene were Alpine County Sheriff's Department, East Fork Fire and Paramedic District, Woodfords Volunteer Fire Department, Alpine County Search & Rescue and California Highway Patrol personnel.

Crawford said he had information that the man had flown out of Minden-Tahoe Airport.