Sometimes just being out driving around looking for stuff to shoot pays off
Nov 8, 2013 19:55:20 #
I was out today driving to an estate sale in the valley and noticed an aircraft doing stunts with smoke over the mountains. I did think much of it at the time. On the way home I noticed a helicopter low on the mountain, then farther down the road a large group of fire trucks and rescue vehicles. When I got home I heard on the news they were searching for a downed aircraft in the area. Well I watched that aircraft fl down range and out of sight, so I went up to the command center and told them what I saw and that the aircraft did not crash. Here's the article n the paper tonght
"Downed Airplane" report deemed likely unfounded'
After searching for more than two hours through the mountains to the south of the City of Tehachapi, emergency crews determined based on a witness account that the previous report of a possible downed plane was likely a misconception.
Multiple witnesses reported to officials that they had seen a plane spewing smoke as it headed down behind the ridge line, then never saw the plane re-appear.
"We saw the smoke and it just spiraled straight down," said Tehachapi resident Tina Larson. She spotted the plane and snapped a photo while walking with her daughter near the end of Tucker Road just before 10 a.m. Friday.
Around noon, local resident Tom Lynch arrived at the command post at the corner of Highline Road and Curry Street and reported what he saw to authorities.
"He was having a...good time," Lynch said.
While headed to Stallion Springs, Lynch said he spotted what appeared to be a stunt plane. He has worked with aircraft for 37 years, he said. Lynch said he saw the plane continue along the ridge line, still purposely spewing smoke, do one more loop, turn off the smoke, and head southwest.
"I was wishing I could have been up there with him," he said.
Authorities on scene included Kern County Fire Department, Kern County Sheriff's Department, Tehachapi Police Department, and Hall Ambulance. Rescuers were searching by air using a helicopter based out of Keene. Heidi Dinkler lead the chopper team.
The area being searched was roughly west of the Tehachapi Mountain Valley Airport and east of Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Kern County Fire Capt. Wayne Griffith reported that the 911 call came in about 9:45 a.m. and crews responded immediately with ground and air crews. While the helicopter searched the ridge line, two TPD four-by-four vehicles combed the rough fire roads in the same mountainous area, according to TPD Officer Scott Ketcham.
David Goodell, incident commander for Kern Fire at the site, said he was "92 percent" certain there was no crash, but in the interest of "due diligence," he and other officials were remaining on scene, as of noon.
Authorities were also contacting area airports, trying to confirm whether any aircraft were missing or if a pilot was out conducting stunts. They received no reports of missing planes from any area airports, including Tehachapi Municipal Airport.
"Downed Airplane" report deemed likely unfounded'
After searching for more than two hours through the mountains to the south of the City of Tehachapi, emergency crews determined based on a witness account that the previous report of a possible downed plane was likely a misconception.
Multiple witnesses reported to officials that they had seen a plane spewing smoke as it headed down behind the ridge line, then never saw the plane re-appear.
"We saw the smoke and it just spiraled straight down," said Tehachapi resident Tina Larson. She spotted the plane and snapped a photo while walking with her daughter near the end of Tucker Road just before 10 a.m. Friday.
Around noon, local resident Tom Lynch arrived at the command post at the corner of Highline Road and Curry Street and reported what he saw to authorities.
"He was having a...good time," Lynch said.
While headed to Stallion Springs, Lynch said he spotted what appeared to be a stunt plane. He has worked with aircraft for 37 years, he said. Lynch said he saw the plane continue along the ridge line, still purposely spewing smoke, do one more loop, turn off the smoke, and head southwest.
"I was wishing I could have been up there with him," he said.
Authorities on scene included Kern County Fire Department, Kern County Sheriff's Department, Tehachapi Police Department, and Hall Ambulance. Rescuers were searching by air using a helicopter based out of Keene. Heidi Dinkler lead the chopper team.
The area being searched was roughly west of the Tehachapi Mountain Valley Airport and east of Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Kern County Fire Capt. Wayne Griffith reported that the 911 call came in about 9:45 a.m. and crews responded immediately with ground and air crews. While the helicopter searched the ridge line, two TPD four-by-four vehicles combed the rough fire roads in the same mountainous area, according to TPD Officer Scott Ketcham.
David Goodell, incident commander for Kern Fire at the site, said he was "92 percent" certain there was no crash, but in the interest of "due diligence," he and other officials were remaining on scene, as of noon.
Authorities were also contacting area airports, trying to confirm whether any aircraft were missing or if a pilot was out conducting stunts. They received no reports of missing planes from any area airports, including Tehachapi Municipal Airport.
Nov 9, 2013 09:27:30 #
I go driving around at least once a month, usually on the first weekend. My intent is to get lost and find something new.
Yesterday I went looking for Fall colors in our San Diego mountains. Not only did I find them, but I found a lot of interesting stuff along historic U.S. 80, including a horse which had escaped and had its owners, family, and friends scurrying all around a few miles away trying to find it. They were thankful that I had found it, had found them, and could lead them back to it.
Yesterday I went looking for Fall colors in our San Diego mountains. Not only did I find them, but I found a lot of interesting stuff along historic U.S. 80, including a horse which had escaped and had its owners, family, and friends scurrying all around a few miles away trying to find it. They were thankful that I had found it, had found them, and could lead them back to it.
Nov 9, 2013 10:19:42 #
Good going, Tom - at least authorities didn't have to waste more resources than necessary. Nice story.
Nov 9, 2013 12:46:21 #
russelray wrote:
I go driving around at least once a month, usually... (show quote)
Thought you were going to post a shot of a crashed plane. :lol:
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