1 dead, 1 critically injured in San Rafael plane crash
A single-engine plane crashed July 8, 2023 in San Rafael, killing one and injuring another.
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - Federal investigators are looking into a plane crash that killed one person and injured another in San Rafael Saturday night.
The single-engine aircraft crashed in mucky wetlands area near a private airport around 11:09 p.m., according to the Marin County Sheriff.
People reported seeing a bright flash of light in the sky, the sheriff said. Other emergency callers reported a plane had struck power lines near the airport.
Authorities said the two onboard had flown from Minden, Nevada.
The sheriff identified the person who died as passenger Marc Pankin, 59, of Novato. The pilot, Kirk Hurford of San Rafael, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Power lines had been struck by the plane's tailfin prior to touching down on the ground. The power lines were wrapped around the plane and across the crash site making access difficult for emergency workers.
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Once PG&E was able to deactivate the power lines, San Rafael Fire Department was able to extricate a passenger
No one on the ground was hurt, authorities said.