Pilot Hospitalized, Then Arrested

Authorities have many questions after a 1972 Bellanca Viking went down in northeastern Oklahoma's Grand Lake Saturday night, killing three of its occupants. The pilot survived the accident, but was later arrested on charges of alcohol intoxication and manslaughter.

The pilot, identified by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as Brent Caldwell, 30, was the lone survivor. After an overnight hospital stay, he was taken into custody by state authorities. There was also some question whether Caldwell has a valid pilot's license.

Tulsa World identified the victims as Marjiano Carlos, 15, and Mexican nationals Eduardo Ortiz Robles, 20, and Campos Gonzalez, 33.

The plane (file photo of type, below) went down around 6:47 pm, according to FAA spokesman Roland Herwig. The OHP found the wreckage in 10 to 12 feet of water, and divers from the Grand River Dam Authority were used to search for those on the plane. Authorities say the three men were trapped in the wreckage underwater.

Witnesses said they observed the plane flying very low, but could hear no engine noise before it impacted the water at the north bank of a creek on the lake.

The FAA's Oklahoma City office and an NTSB team from Fort Worth, TX will be investigating the crash. Authorities say Caldwell was not in contact with air traffic control.

Caldwell remains in jail, without bond.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.dps.state.ok.us/ohp/, www.ntsb.gov