Wreckage of CHP plane is found; pilot killed
A California Highway Patrol observation plane crashed Friday in Imperial County, killing the pilot, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The Cessna 206 was found about 12 miles northeast of Agua Caliente Springs near Split Mountain Road. The pilot was the only person aboard, the FAA said.
The plane had taken off Friday morning and was soon out of contact. Multiple law enforcement agencies from Imperial and Riverside counties were involved in the search.The plane had been enroute to conduct speed patrol above Interstate 8, the CHP said.
The wreckage was found shortly after 5 p.m.
The pilot was identified as Danny Benavides, a 13-year veteran of the CHP.
--Tony Perry in San Diego
EDITOR'S PICKS:
RIP Officer Benavides, and may God watch over your family in this time of tragedy. Thank you for your service
Posted by: linfieldkp | May 08, 2010 at 12:22 AM
RIP, brother. Sad.
Posted by: Joseph L Cooke | May 08, 2010 at 07:58 AM
Peace be with this officer and his surviving family members. Nobody likes to get a speeding ticket, but the brave and good people of the CHP risk their lives for the rest of us each and every day.
In my area, a CHP officer died about two years ago when he crashed his squad car in hot pursuit of a speeding vehicle that refused to pull over.
Thank you, CHP, for being there for us, making our roads a little safer. Thank you Cal Trans & CHP for escorting us over the Grape Vine when it snows. Thank you for helping us when our cars break down on a busy freeway. Thank you for parking your vehicle behind ours and protecting us from oncoming traffic when we get trapped in the fast lane.
And most of all, thank you for making sure that people drive at a safe speed.
Posted by: Greg Maragos | May 08, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Are they looking into if he was shot down?
I don't know why, but I keep having this feeling, there may be a possibility.
Posted by: Can | May 09, 2010 at 09:32 AM