2 dead, 1 injured in Civil Air Patrol plane crash near Storm Mountain

Corrections and clarifications: The crash was reported at 11:12 a.m. on Saturday, November 23.

Larimer County agencies responded to a fatal plane crash in the Storm Mountain area on Saturday.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Larimer County Emergency Services and other regional partners responded, according to the sheriff’s office position on X.

This story was updated throughout Saturday with new information, photos and video from our reporter on the scene, as well as information from officials with government responding agencies and the Civil Air Patrol. Our latest updates have been added to the top of the section below.

The Civil Air Patrol plane that crashed during the exercise was a Cessna 182, the Civil Air Patrol said in a news release shared with the Coloradoan by Chief Growth Officer Kristina Jones.

Two people died and another was seriously injured in the crash, sheriff’s office spokesman Ali Adams told reporters gathered at Fire Station No. 8 in Loveland near Drake.

A press release from the governor’s office identified pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten as the dead. Randall Settergren, identified by Gov. Jared Polis as the plane’s co-pilot, was rescued by a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter, the release said.

In a statement, the Civil Air Patrol said the plane was being used for search and rescue exercises at the time of the crash. A statement from the governor’s office on Saturday specified that the exercise focused on aerial photography.

The Civil Air Patrol uses aerial imagery for both search and rescue and disaster response, Jones told the Coloradoan in a follow-up email.

The Civil Aviation Patrol “will fully cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation to learn more about the contributing factors,” the release said.

According to previous reports from Colorado, the investigation is being led by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, which will cooperate with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

“Our people are our most important asset and we are committed to ensuring their safety,” read a statement from Major General Regeny Aye, the organization’s national commander.

—Sarah Kyle

The plane that crashed Saturday near Storm Mountain was a Civil Air Patrol plane belonging to the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron, according to a press release issued Saturday evening by the governor’s office.

Two people died and another was seriously injured in the crash, sheriff’s office spokesman Ali Adams told reporters gathered at Fire Station No. 8 in Loveland near Drake.

In a statement released by the governor’s office, pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten were pronounced dead. Randall Settergren, identified by Gov. Jared Polis as the plane’s co-pilot, was rescued by a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter, the release said.

Wolber, Rhoten and Settergren were on a “routine training mission during which they trained in aerial photography,” the release said.

“I am saddened to learn of the loss of two dedicated Civil Air Patrol members, pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, who lost their lives in today’s crash, and my thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues,” Polis’ statement read. “These individuals, along with injured co-pilot Randall Settergren, served the Civil Air Patrol as volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better and safer place for all. The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten. I also want to thank the emergency services who helped with the rescue and reconstruction efforts.”

The nonprofit Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

The Colorado Civil Air Patrol Wing has 39 squadrons, including cadet, composite and senior squadrons, according to his website. The Thompson Valley Composite Squadron is based in Fort Collins. According to the composite squadron, it includes both cadets and senior members Colorado Wing website.

In Colorado, Civil Air Patrol missions include search and rescue of missing hikers and hunters, locating downed planes and transporting emergency personnel and medical supplies, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office.

“Civil Air Patrol volunteers are a valued part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they perform every day directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans across the state,” said Maj. Gen. – read by Laura Clellan from the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We are devastated by the news of the loss of Susan Wolber and Jay Rhoten and the injury to Randall Settergren… Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of those involved.”

—Sarah Kyle

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ali Adams said the crash site was in a remote area that was difficult to access. Rescue operations continued more than 4 hours after receiving the first information about the disaster.

“Due to the terrain, recovery will probably take several days,” she added.

She said the accident occurred near the Alexander Mountain Fire burn scar, but could not say whether that location was within the burn scar.

-Kelly Lyell

Two people died and one was seriously injured in a plane crash Saturday, sheriff’s office spokesman Ali Adams told media gathered at the Loveland Fire Station No. 8 near Drake.

The crash was reported at 11:12 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, near Storm Mountain, Adams said.

Adams said it was a small plane with three passengers on board. Though 9News reported that the plane was registered with the Civil Air PatrolAND organization of public services which covers emergency services, Adams said she could not confirm that information at the press conference.

9News obtained an aerial photo of the plane’s flight number and cited Federal Aviation Administration data in its reports.

Adams added that the person injured in the crash would be transported to a local hospital.

The investigation is being conducted by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, which will cooperate with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Additional information will be made available as it becomes available, Adams said, noting that no further public updates are expected Saturday evening.

-Kelly Lyell and Sarah Kyle

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ali Adams confirmed there were injuries in connection with Saturday’s plane crash. Adams did not confirm whether there were any fatalities.

-Kelly Lyell and Sarah Kyle

Rescue crews are staging operations on Palisade Mountain and Storm Mountain drives. Access to Storm Mountain is currently closed to the public.

The UCHealth LifeLine helicopter was at the meeting point just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

-Kelly Lyell and Sarah Kyle

Larimer County agencies are responding to a plane crash reported Saturday in the Storm Mountain area, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on X.

The post says the sheriff’s office, Larimer County Emergency Services and other area partners are responding.

“Efforts are ongoing to establish direct contact with those on board,” the post reads.

— Sarah Kyle