UPDATE: The pilot in the fatal plane crash was identified as Tracy Paul Roesler, 48, from Nampa, Idaho.
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UTAH COUNTY (News4Utah) One person is dead after a small plane crash in Utah County.
The plane was reported missing Thursday when it was overdue to return to Caldwell, Idaho.
Reports were that the pilot intended to land in Provo to refuel and eventually return to Caldwell between 5 and 6 p.m. At around 4:30 a co-worker became concerned when he had not heard from the pilot. Then, when the pilot did not return, authorities were contacted.
A helicopter with the Utah Department of Public Safety, along with the Civil Air Patrol, searched Thursday, and again Friday.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue were notified Friday and joined the effort to find the missing plane.
Around 12:30 p.m. Friday, the wreckage of the plane was found near the top of Lake Mountain on the west side of Utah Lake.
The crash site is located at the top of the mountain, near the south end of the mountain, in terrain that was very difficult to access. Deputies and investigators were unable to drive to the scene even in 4-wheel drive vehicles.
The DPS helicopter and a single engine SAR plane with tundra tires were able to land near the crash site.
The pilot’s body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s office in Taylorsville where they will conduct an autopsy tomorrow and attempt to positively identify the pilot.
Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will travel to the scene Saturday to continue the investigation. They will attempt to determine the cause of the crash.
