Amador County – The wreckage of an airplane that went missing last week was discovered Friday afternoon, along with remains, which were identified as the pilot’s.

At about 3:45 p.m. Friday, “members of the Amador County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Nordic Team located the wreckage of the missing Lancair aircraft owned and piloted by Robert Henderson “Budge” Brown Senior, 78, of Gardnerville, Nevada.” Undersheriff Jim Wegner issued a release Friday night that said the “aircraft was found south of Bear River Reservoir, north of Salt Springs Reservoir and west of Cole Creek in very rugged, snow covered terrain within the El Dorado National Forest. The aircraft was found outside of the initial search area, by a ground team, during the expanded search efforts.” The search contingent had focused its work in an area Thursday with no luck, and resumed the search Friday.

“The aircraft wreckage is strewn over an approximated 300-yard area,” the release said. “The aircraft tail number and serial number were located amongst the wreckage. Personal effects belonging to Brown, including his passport were also located among the wreckage.

“Amador County Deputy Sheriff-Coroners responded to the crash site, wherein they recovered the decedent and began the death investigation. The cause of death will be determined during a forensic autopsy that was scheduled for Monday.

“The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified and will be conducting the investigation into the cause of the accident.” Last week, the Amador Sheriff’s Office was advised of the overdue aircraft, last seen on radar flying through Amador County at 3:47 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.

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