A search for a missing pilot and aircraft that began on Tuesday evening culminated on Wednesday afternoon with the discovery of the crash site in a remote area near Little Mountain, southwest of Rock Springs.
The pilot, identified as Kelly Melvin, 50, of Green River, was found deceased at the crash site, the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office reported.
At approximately 1:22 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, sheriff's office deputies received a missing person report for a pilot whose private aircraft departed Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport near Rock Springs but failed to reach its scheduled destination in California.
"The report prompted an intensive search and rescue effort," a press release from the sheriff's office explained.
Investigators identified the pilot as a man in his 50s from Green River, and the aircraft as a Piper Comanche, according to the press release. Upon investigation and based on automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, authorities focused their search and rescue efforts on an area near Pine and Little Mountain, southwest of Rock Springs, the sheriff's office reported.
Due to the remote terrain and conditions, ground operations were suspended on Tuesday evening. At approximately 9:15 p.m. that night, the Utah Air National Guard joined the search effort at the sheriff's office request, deploying an Apache helicopter with nighttime search capabilities. Around 10:30 p.m., the Apache flight crew detected a possible area of interest, noting what appeared to be a ground disturbance in the search area near Little Mountain, southwest of Rock Springs.
At approximately 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, search and rescue ground crews staged in the area to support ongoing aerial search efforts, the sheriff's office explained. At 8 a.m., the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol deployed a fixed-wing aircraft to visually confirm the findings reported by the Apache crew the previous night. Around 8:30 a.m., the Wyoming Army National Guard had begun deploying a Huey helicopter equipped with emergency medical and hoist capabilities to support the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
The crash site was discovered Wednesday during a coordinated ground and aerial search around 2 p.m., according to an updated press release. The sheriff's office confirmed securing the scene and notified state and federal aviation officials.
"We remind everyone to please refrain from entering the area, as the crash site is now part of an active investigation," the press release explained. "Interfering with the site could compromise the investigation and result in legal consequences."
Sheriff John Grossnickle said, "We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Melvin's family and friends during this tragedy, and we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of community support and dedication of everyone involved in this effort."
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