Pilot Dies After Small Plane Crashes Near Ojai
VENTURA COUNTY (CBSLA.com) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation on Friday into the circumstances surrounding a deadly plane crash that occurred near Ojai.
Around 4:30 a.m., a Ventura County Air Unit spotted wreckage of a small plane located on land in a remote area near the Don Victor Trail, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.
Authorities said the plane crashed just north of Jameson Lake, which is about 30 to 40 miles north of Ojai.
The Emergency Communications Center received report of a "mayday" situation around 10 p.m. on Thursday, involving a small aircraft that was experiencing engine trouble.
In response, authorities with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team and Civil Air Patrol searched areas in both Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Due to rugged terrain, officials were unable to access the wreckage until around 7 a.m. this morning.
Upon their arrival, the body of the pilot was located within the aircraft by deputies. The victim's identity is being withheld pending family notification.
At this time, it remains unclear where the aircraft was traveling from and where it was headed to.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.