By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
Two men have died in the crash of a small airplane near Truckee-Tahoe Airport.
Lt. Allan Carter of the Placer County Sheriff's Department said the report of the crash was received at 2:14 p.m. He said the single-engine plane with tandem seating went down about 500 yards south of the runway in an area of sagebrush.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the plane was a homebuilt, single-engine RV8. According to Gregor, the pilot departed from Truckee for a local flight and intended to return to that airport.
An FAA website lists the registered owner as Raymond Rotge of Santa Rosa.
Carter said airport personnel reported receiving a radio transmission from what they believe was this aircraft saying it was on a left face turn before a final approach. The plane did not land, however, and another airplane approaching the airport spotted the crash site, Carter said.
He described the two people on board as middle-aged men. Their identities will not be released until their families are notified.
Carter said the Sheriff's Department was awaiting the arrival of National Transportation Safety Board representatives before removing the bodies.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.









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