Investigators are going through wreckage at the crash site just off Dinkey Creek Road, near Nevins Road in Shaver Lake.
Members with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, C.H.P, F.A.A. and N.T.S.B. have teamed up to comb through the wooded area covered with snow. They are collecting evidence which might explain why the plane crashed.
The 1980 model 421C Cessna took off from Salinas around 6:30 Saturday night with two people on board destined for Omaha, Nebraska. The airplane got up to an altitude of 27,000 then point air traffic control noticed the airplane began to rapidly descend.
By 7:20 pm the aircraft went off radar. The plane went down about 10 minutes later. Around 9 pm, rescue crews discovered the wreckage which was on fire.
Published reports say Patrick Clarke, a businessman from Omaha and his son, Scott Clarke, a doctor from Springfield, Missouri both died in the crash.
“The only piece of the wreckage we have is the main fuselage. We have yet to find the wings or the tail section. The helicopter has been flying overhead looking for the remaining parts of the wreckage. We are still looking for the wings and the tail, so if anyone does find any aircraft wreckage they should send it to law enforcement,” said Elliot Simpson, N.T.S.B.
Investigators are expected to be at the crash site for several days to examine the plane before they transport the wreckage to a government lab. It could be days or weeks until a preliminary report on the cause of the crash is released.
