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.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov