Berkeley Resident Killed In Concord Plane Crash

EAST BAY, CA — A pilot killed in a plane crash Tuesday in Concord was identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner's Office Wednesday as 75-year-old Jacek Romanski of Berkeley.

Romanski crashed shortly after taking off Tuesday morning from the Buchanan Field Airport. His single-engine RV-6 airplane went down at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Concord Avenue and Diamond Boulevard, not far from Interstate Highway 242.

As the crash occurred, the plane struck a car on the roadway. The driver of the car complained of pain and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Romanski was the lone person on the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

According to records, he owned the plane since 2005. It was a 1996 Swanson experimental plane purchased in kit form.

A witness working at a car dealership near the intersection said he was familiar with the airplane and saw it flying almost every day. The pilot seemed experienced and was often seen doing tricks in the plane, William Ross Edwards told CBS.

Roadways around the crash site remained closed for more than 24 hours as federal officials with the FAA and NTSB responded to investigate.

Police reported Wednesday afternoon that all roadways were reopened.

More information from the investigation is expected in the coming days.