Fatal Calaveras County Plane Crash

Valley Springs, Ca — An unidentified individual has been confirmed dead following a light aircraft accident in Calaveras County.

The 911 Dispatch Center received multiple phone calls Thursday evening that a plane was observed displaying mechanical distress near Lake Camanche in the Valley Springs area.

?They heard ?popping´ noises from the engine, and said that the plane was flying erratically in the area,? says Captain Clay Hawkins of the Sheriff´s Department. ?We had three witnesses describe the plane as descending, dipping below the horizon, and then hearing a loud ?boom.´?

Rescue personnel were immediately dispatched, but were unable to locate any wreckage. At first light this morning the search picked up, and at around 10am a small aircraft was located on the southern shoreline of Lake Camanche near Highway 12.

Hawkins says that there was one person in the plane at the time of the crash, and the unidentified individual has been confirmed dead. Investigators from the Calaveras County Sheriff´s Department have secured the scene and are awaiting arrival of the Federal Aviation Administration. Once the FAA arrives, a joint investigation will take place.

Agencies providing assistance in the search included the CHP, East Bay Municipal Utility District, San Joaquin and Amador County Sheriff´s Offices, and engines from CAL Fire, Foothill, Jenny Lind, and surrounding area fire departments.

Website RanchoMurieta.com is reporting that the plane was piloted by Wally Boeck of the Sacramento area.

Written by BJ Hansen