Thu, Jan 19, 2006
Wreckage Found Over Three Hours After Reported
Visalia, CA city and fire officials are investigating the
department's response time in a accident Friday that killed a local
couple and their two granddaughters.
According to the Fresno Bee, witness Geoff Ludlow watched the
couple's Twin Comanche (file photo of type, above) as it was on
final approach to land at Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), and he
saw the aircraft impact the ground about 100 feet from the end of
the runway. He called the airport terminal fire station
immediately... and waited near the crash site for firefighters to
arrive.
Officials confirmed the staff at the airport station spoke with
Ludlow sometime between 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., said deputy city
manager Leslie Caviglia.
After fifteen minutes, however -- with no rescuers in sight --
Ludlow left the scene, according to media reports. The wreckage was
not found until 10:15 -- and then by airport manager Mario
Cifuentez, after he received a call from the family's
relatives.
City officials are now investigating the "appropriateness" of
the Fire Department's response to the witness's report. It is not
known when -- or if -- firefighters and rescue workers responded to
the accident, and fire department officials will not comment
further on their response until the investigation is completed.
The FAA, NTSB, and representatives from New Piper are also
investigating the accident, which claimed the lives of Bernard Ray
Sinor, his wife Betty Ann, and their young granddaughters Jorjanna
and Kyndall Plumlee.
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