Search Begins in Folsom Lake for 1965 Plane Wreckage

Low water levels in Folsom Lake are allowing El Dorado County and Placer County Sheriffs to search for plane that crashed into Folsom Lake on January 1, 1965.

Frank Wilcox, a Shingle Springs man, is hoping the dramatic drop in the level of Folsom Lake will finally reveal the wreckage of the Piper Comanche that went to the bottom following a mid-air collision, killing Wilcox's older brother and three other people. Only one body was recovered. The second plane was able to return to the airport.

Both Sheriffs departments and a private company that uses sonar equipment to recover bodies in water started the search Thursday. There are 50-60 foot tall trees at the bottom of the lake which cause problems for the sonar equipment, but searches are remaining optimistic.

El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini pledged the support of his office to aid in a county resident’s search for answers about the crash and the unrecovered victims. Both counties are involved since the exact location of the crash is unknown.

They are asking that people remain clear of the boats involved.