NV-Airtanker Crash near Stead (Reno)

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http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...EWS18/80901033

Plane crash confirmed near Stead

By David Jacobs • September 1, 2008

An airport official has confirmed a plane crash near the Reno Stead Airport.

About 6 p.m. Monday, authorities were notified of something that sounded like an explosion.

Later, reports expressed concerns that it may have been a Nevada firefighting air tanker with two people on board. The tanker may have been headed to fight an unspecified fire in California.

Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin confirmed a crash but said it occurred off the property of the Reno Stead Airport.

"That's all we know at this point," Kulpin said.

An eyewitness told KOLO-TV Channel 8 said that she saw the back of the plane's engine on fire and a wing on fire before the plane crashed. It also appeared the plane struck a power pole and tumbled, the witness said.

Crews received reports that large pieces of debris were found in the area of the crash. The airport manager was headed to the scene with possible information on the aircraft and its occupants.

A brush fire also was reported, but no homes were threatened. Smoke could be seen from miles away, but the fire is now out. Law enforcement officials were trying to keep motorists away and passersby away from the rural crash site. RGJ.com readers reported power out in the Cold Springs area and fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration is being notified.

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http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/27749264.html

Breaking News: Crew Killed inTanker Crash

RENO - A P2V Neptune multi-engine tanker has crashed outside of the Stead Airport north of Reno. A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration says everyone onboard was killed.

The twin-engine air tanker crashed just after its 6:11 p.m. takeoff about a half-mile from the runway, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. Preliminary reports from witnesses suggest the tanker lost a piece of its engine or a wing before it caught fire and went down, Gregor says. The airplane was carrying two or three people, and there were no survivors from the crash, he says.

Sierra Front spokesman Mark Struble said the tanker was working on the Hope Valley fire earlier in the day and had been released.

Witnesses on the scene say the back engines were on fire as it crashed into power lines. Sierra Pacific says 1,740 customers in Cold Springs, Red Rock, and Silver Knolls lost power as a result. All customers should have power restored sometime Monday night.

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