FAA, NTSB Probe Deadly Novato Plane Crash

NOVATO, CA — Local and federal investigators are working to determine what caused a small plane to crash Saturday at Novato's Gnoss Field, killing the pilot and igniting a fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will probe what led to the Aero Commander 200D crashing into an airport hangar, and a forensic postmortem exam on the plane's sole occupant was scheduled to be performed Tuesday, officials said.

According to the Marin County Sheriff's Office, witnesses reported the plane and hangar engulfed in flames a few minutes before 4 p.m. Saturday, and bystanders warned incoming fire crews that fuel tanks in nearby hangars could present further hazards. The flames spread into the surrounding brush, but fire crews were able to prevent more significant damage.

One pilot who landed at Gnoss Field just moments before the crash shared photos of the fire and smoke on social media.

In an update shared Tuesday, the sheriff's office said the plane had "completely burned" and the identity of the pilot was still pending the completion of the forensic exam. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Coroner's Division after concurrent investigations by the FAA, NTSB and sheriff's office are complete.