Full Breakdown
Two Killed in Small Plane Crash Near Petaluma Municipal Airport
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
A home-built Van’s RV-7A kit airplane crashed in an open field adjacent to the Rooster Run Golf Club shortly after departing Petaluma Municipal Airport on Wednesday morning. The aircraft impacted the ground fully engulfed in flames, killing the pilot and passenger. Emergency crews extinguished the fire and recovered the two bodies.
Aircraft and Flight Details
- Aircraft type: Van’s RV-7A, a two-seat kit plane.
- Occupants: Two (pilot and passenger).
- Take-off time: About 10:40 a.m. (some reports note 10:45 a.m.).
- Crash site: An empty field on East Washington Street, directly east of the airport and bordering the golf course’s front nine holes.
Response and Investigation
Petaluma Police, Fire Department and federal investigators arrived within minutes. The FAA and NTSB have assumed investigative authority and have instructed that the wreckage remain untouched pending examination. Local officials have closed nearby roadways and urged the public to avoid the area.
Witness Accounts
San Anselmo resident Andrew Sabin, who was on the 12th hole of the golf course, reported hearing the aircraft fly unusually low, observing a sharp bank, and then hearing a “boom” followed by a fireball. He and other golfers called 911 after the impact.
Official Statements & Responses
Petaluma Police Lieutenant Zilverio Rivera confirmed that both occupants died and that the aircraft was “fully engulfed in fire.” Airport manager Dash Phillips said the plane took off from the municipal field and that authorities have not yet determined the cause. An FAA spokesperson identified the aircraft as a Van’s RV-7A and confirmed that the agency, together with the NTSB, will lead the investigation. Police have asked residents to stay clear of East Washington Street between Garfield Drive and Adobe Road while the scene is secured.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Officers arrived on scene and located a small, downed airplane that was fully engulfed in flames. The Petaluma Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. Officers located two deceased people inside the aircraft.” — Dash Phillips, airport manager
- “And then it hit. There was a boom, and then a fireball.” — Andrew Sabin, San Anselmo resident
Background Context
This incident marks the third aircraft accident involving a departure from Petaluma Municipal Airport this year. The previous two incidents involved gyrocopters and did not result in fatalities. The airport typically operates a right-hand traffic pattern that routes departing aircraft along Adobe Road before turning toward the runway.
Data & Statistics
- Fatalities: 2 (pilot and passenger).
- Aircraft model: Van’s RV-7A kit plane.
- Investigation agencies: FAA and NTSB.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The precise moment of engine failure or loss of control has not been established; witnesses differ on whether the plane was circling or flying low before the crash. No official identification of the occupants or the aircraft’s registration number has been released.
What’s Next
Federal investigators will examine the wreckage, retrieve flight data if available, and issue a preliminary report. The FAA and NTSB have not set a public release date for their findings. Local authorities will maintain the safety perimeter until the investigation concludes.