Pilot, two passengers escape injury after plane crashes near Spooner; FAA team arrives at crash site

A pilot and two passengers escaped injury Wednesday after a plane crash northeast of Spooner in the Kings Canyon area, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong confirmed.

The passengers of the aircraft were taken by Carson City Fire and Rescue to the staging area at the Kings Canyon Trailhead where they signed statements with the Carson City Sheriff's Office. Both declined comment. An official at the scene said the three had taken a flight to celebrate the birthday of a 23-year-old female passenger and that both passengers were shaken and didn't wish to speak. It is believed but not confirmed the flight originated from Lake Tahoe.

The following is a statement released from Sheriff Furlong:

At approximately 2:40, May 15, 2013, the Carson City Communications Center received notification from the Douglas County Center of a downed aircraft in the Spooner Summit area. Fire, medical and law enforcement units from both counties were dispatched. The crash location was identified as 3 miles northeast of the Summit.

At approximately 3:04 p.m., Carson City Fire Rescue crews arrived at the scene and discovered all three persons from the flight to be unharmed. The aircraft, a Cessna type, had departed the Carson City Airport earlier with a pilot and two passengers on a tour of the regional area. The details of the flight and cause of the accident are being investigated by the FAA. The names of the persons on board are not being released at this time.

Our appreciation to the pilot for safely bringing the plane to a rest.

The pilot remained at the site of the crash and was to meet with FAA officials who arrived at the trailhead shortly before 5 p.m. Carson City and Douglas County search and rescue crews found the downed aircraft three miles northeast of Spooner in the Kings Canyon area after the pilot notified officials the airplane had crashed.

Carson City deputies have access to the trailhead blocked.

"The terrain is difficult to get through is what we are being told," said Sheriff Furlong.