March 25, 2024 |
Photo – Rawlins Airport plane crash – Courtesy Justin Hinkley
A small plane crash caused the Rawlins Municipal Airport to temporarily close earlier this month.
More information has been released about the March 15th crash of a single-engine airplane in Rawlins.
According to Wyoming Highway Patrol District 4 Public Information Officer Jason Roascio, at approximately 2:00pm on March 15th, Highway Patrol Troopers received a call of an airplane crash at the Rawlins airport.
Trooper Roascio said a small aircraft was attempting to land at the Rawlins Municipal Airport. During the final approach, the aircraft’s landing gear struck power lines located before the runway. The aircraft ended up crashing onto its roof facing northwest.
The pilot had to be extricated from the upside-down airplane. The pilot, whose name has not been released, reported minor injuries from the crash.
Trooper Roascio said the Federal Aviation Administration was immediately notified. Troopers were asked to secure the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation.
Authorities shut down the airport temporarily. The crash is still under investigation.
Bigfoot99 reporter Matt Copeland called the Casper and Denver Federal Aviation Administration offices but was unable to speak to an FAA representative.
A witness to the crash posted a video to the Rawlins News and Chatter Facebook page that appeared to show several military-style attack helicopters hovering close to the crash site. Trooper Roascio told Bigfoot99 that the helicopters were not part of the Highway Patrol’s investigation and were most likely in the area for other reasons.
Bigfoot99 will continue to investigate the crash and provide updates when new information emerges.
