For those that have any further interest in this - I found the following article posted on the Nevada Appeal website..
by F.T. Norton
ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com
June 18, 2004
Although some parts of a New York pilot's fatal trip to Carson City remain a mystery, investigators have learned 61-year-old James Edwardson flew out of the Long Island airport on Monday - just two days before he was killed in a fiery plane crash off Arrowhead Drive, Sheriff Kenny Furlong said.
"His family tells us his intent was to fly into numerous airports that he was interested in. Maybe he was checking in on his office here," he speculated.
Edwardson, who has several corporations in his name in his hometown of Yaphank, N.Y., was also president of FLOCO Inc., which listed 251 Jeanell Drive as its local address, said Carson City Sheriff's Sgt. Bob White. The aircraft was registered to FLOCO Inc.
"I'm not sure what that company's purpose is," White said.
Wednesday at about 12:40 p.m., witnesses reported seeing Edwardson's six-seater Cessna 337 spiraling out of control above Eagle Valley Golf Course.
White said it's possible Edwardson was going to land at the Carson City Airport, but his direction was wrong.
"So he had to circle back around to land correctly, and when he did that, the plane went into a stall and dove to the ground," he said.
On impact, the plane's fuel burst into flames. Workers nearby rushed to help, only to be held back by a second and third explosion, authorities said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the nearly one-acre fire that broke out.
Edwardson's remains will be autopsied today, and dental records will be used to positively identify him, Furlong said.
Commander John Felker, director of the Coast Guard Auxiliary out of New York City, said Edwardson was a member for at least 18 months of the volunteer organization whose primary goal is to teach boating safety and help with search and rescue.
Furlong said Edwardson also appears to have been employed by the federal government in some capacity.
He said the pilot recently applied for an upgrade to his license, but it was denied.
"The U.S. Coast Guard denied allowing him certification to fly as a representative of the Coast Guard."
Furlong said through the help of Edwardson's friend, sheriff's investigators have notified Edwardson's partner of 20 years, her daughter and his own daughter of the businessman's fate.
"His friends and relatives in Long Island said that he was a good pilot, and they were obviously shocked by the incident," he said.
Because of the plane's passenger capacity, and the destruction caused by the intensity of the fire, police were unsure Wednesday if Edwardson was alone in the aircraft.
Thursday, after talking with his family and sorting through the wreckage, Furlong said it appears he was the sole occupant.
"The family is saying he met with as many as six friends before he left, and one was expected to go with him.
"We have spoken with that one gentleman, and the family is contacting all of the remaining friends to ensure none of them did go," he said. "A search of the scene did not disclose any indication of a second occupant in the aircraft; we don't believe there was a passenger."
Contact F.T. Norton at
ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
No positive ID on pilot in fatal crash
by F.T. Norton
ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com
June 19, 2004
Dental records were of no use to a coroner Friday trying to positively identify remains found in the wreckage of an airplane that crashed in East Carson City this week, authorities said.
The next option is to try to identify the remains through DNA provided by a blood relative, said Carson City Sgt. Bob White.
The six-seater aircraft registered to FLOCO Inc., which is owned by James Edwardson of Yaphank, NY., crashed into a field off Arrowhead Drive on Wednesday afternoon. FLOCO Inc. has a local address on Jeanell Drive.
Identification in a mangled black wallet found in the wreckage and statements made by Edwardson's family in Yaphank lead investigators to believe he was piloting the Cessna 337 when the accident occurred.
Family members have told investigators Edwardson was an experienced pilot and left from Long Island on Monday. Sheriff Ken Furlong said the New York businessman had recently applied for an upgrade to his license, but was denied.
Weaver Aircraft owner Neil Weaver said he knows of no one at the airport who knew Edwardson or if he had ever landed there. The airport does not keep records of who arrives or leaves, he said.
"Witnesses all say (the plane) was on the wrong pattern for the runway it was trying to land on," he said.
Furlong said it appears the aircraft was trying to correct its approach when the engine stalled and it plummeted to earth, erupting in a ball of fire.
"Operating at higher temperatures and higher altitudes is an acquired skill," Weaver said, speculating the pilot may have mistaken his plane's performance for a failure. "For a flatlander, if you're not prepared for it when you experience it, you might think your airplane is not performing."
Contact F.T. Norton at
ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.