Copperopolis, CA June 16, 2019 at about 11:40 AM, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of a plane crash near Poker Flat shoreline at Lake Tulloch. The plane was observed flying low over the lake when it reportedly hit some high tension power lines and entered the water. The plane immediately became fully submerged before witnesses could get to the plane. The plane is described as a single engine yellow aircraft. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, Department Fish and Wildlife, Cal-Fire, Copperopolis Fire, and Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office responded and continued to search the area with negative results. Search efforts continued throughout the night.

On 06/17/19 at 0800 hours, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, Tuolumne County, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Amador County continued the search efforts and brought additional resources consisting of Sonar and a submersible remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to assist in locating the aircraft and pilot. Additional resources are being requested through OES for underwater resources.

The plane reportedly left out of Stanislaus County and was enroute to Tuolumne County. The pilot’s name will not be released, until his next of kin is notified. Search efforts are continuing.

UPDATE- On 06/17/19 at about 1200 hours, the aircraft was located about 110’ feet below the surface of the lake through the use of sonar equipment and later confirmed with the use of an underwater remote operated vehicle. Additional resources have been requested to recover the aircraft and contents due to the water depth.