Plane Was Heading To Rosamond, CA
Representatives with
the Civil Air Patrol tell ANN two highly-regarded members of the
Civil Air Patrol -- Col. Edwin W. Lewis Jr., director of operations
for CAP’s Pacific Region, and Col. Dion E. DeCamp, commander
of CAP’s Nevada Wing -- died Thursday evening when their CAP
Cessna 182 impacted mountainous terrain south of Las Vegas.
Lewis had traveled to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to drop
off a CAP airplane to be used as an airshow display. He and DeCamp
where apparently en route to Rosamond, CA, Lewis’ hometown,
when the accident occurred.
Lewis and DeCamp had enjoyed long and distinguished careers,
both in the US Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol, the official
auxiliary of the Air Force. Most recently, both men were actively
involved in the search for legendary American aviator Steve
Fossett.
Lewis, 71, had served in the Civil Air Patrol for more than 50
years. He was a former national vice commander, elected in August
1993. He served in that capacity for one year. Before that, he
served as Pacific Region commander for four years. He also was
California Wing commander from 1978 to 1982.
DeCamp, 73, of Reno, NV was commander of the Nevada Wing since
2003. Most recently, he led the wing’s initial search efforts
for missing adventurer Steve Fossett, who disappeared on Labor Day
during a solo flight in Nevada. The search for Fossett, who has yet
to be found, was the largest in the Civil Air Patrol’s
modern-day history.
"The CAP family is deeply saddened by this tremendous loss,"
said Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP interim national commander.
"There were no finer members than Col. DeCamp and Col. Lewis. Their
illustrious volunteer service, which collective spanned more than
seven decades, touched innumerable lives and now, in sorrow,
consoles those left behind as a testament to their dedication and
commitment to the citizens of their respective communities."
The cause of the Thursday evening accident is unknown at this
time. A full investigation of the crash by the National
Transportation Safety Board was scheduled to begin Friday
morning.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 881CP
Make/Model: C182 Description: 182,
Skylane
Date: 11/08/2007 Time: 0315
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury:
Fatal Mid Air: N Missing:
N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: LAS VEGAS State: NV Country:
US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN, THE TWO PERSONS ON BOARD
WERE FATALLY
INJURED, 12 MILES FROM LAS VEGAS, NV
INJURY DATA Total
Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat:
2 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat:
0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Grnd:
Fat: 0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
WEATHER: KLAS 090245Z 10SM FEW180 BKN250 33/M01 A2995
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase:
Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: LAS VEGAS, NV
(WP19)
Entry date: 11/09/2007
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