Plane Was Heading To Rosamond, CA

Representatives with the Civil Air Patrol tell ANN two highly-regarded members of the Civil Air Patrol -- Col. Edwin W. Lewis Jr., director of operations for CAP’s Pacific Region, and Col. Dion E. DeCamp, commander of CAP’s Nevada Wing -- died Thursday evening when their CAP Cessna 182 impacted mountainous terrain south of Las Vegas.

Lewis had traveled to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to drop off a CAP airplane to be used as an airshow display. He and DeCamp where apparently en route to Rosamond, CA, Lewis’ hometown, when the accident occurred.

Lewis and DeCamp had enjoyed long and distinguished careers, both in the US Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the Air Force. Most recently, both men were actively involved in the search for legendary American aviator Steve Fossett.

Lewis, 71, had served in the Civil Air Patrol for more than 50 years. He was a former national vice commander, elected in August 1993. He served in that capacity for one year. Before that, he served as Pacific Region commander for four years. He also was California Wing commander from 1978 to 1982.

DeCamp, 73, of Reno, NV was commander of the Nevada Wing since 2003. Most recently, he led the wing’s initial search efforts for missing adventurer Steve Fossett, who disappeared on Labor Day during a solo flight in Nevada. The search for Fossett, who has yet to be found, was the largest in the Civil Air Patrol’s modern-day history.

"The CAP family is deeply saddened by this tremendous loss," said Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP interim national commander. "There were no finer members than Col. DeCamp and Col. Lewis. Their illustrious volunteer service, which collective spanned more than seven decades, touched innumerable lives and now, in sorrow, consoles those left behind as a testament to their dedication and commitment to the citizens of their respective communities."

The cause of the Thursday evening accident is unknown at this time. A full investigation of the crash by the National Transportation Safety Board was scheduled to begin Friday morning.

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 881CP        Make/Model: C182      Description: 182, Skylane
  Date: 11/08/2007     Time: 0315

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Destroyed

LOCATION
  City: LAS VEGAS   State: NV   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN, THE TWO PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY
  INJURED, 12 MILES FROM LAS VEGAS, NV

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   2
                 # Crew:   2     Fat:   2     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: KLAS 090245Z 10SM FEW180 BKN250 33/M01 A2995

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: LAS VEGAS, NV  (WP19)                 Entry date: 11/09/2007

FMI: www.cap.gov