Officials have identified the two victims who were killed when a U.S. Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Colorado's Front Range on Saturday, November 23, 2024. In a statement issued by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, the victims were identified as Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten. Co-pilot Randall Settergren was identified as the person injured in the crash. He was reportedly airlifted to an area hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
According to multiple reports, on Saturday morning, a Civil Air Patrol plane, which belongs to the civilian auxiliary wing of the U.S, with three people aboard, was on a routine aerial photography training mission, when it crashed near Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain west of Loveland around 11:15 a.m.
While officials confirmed the pilot Susan Wolber and photographer Jay Rhoten died in the crash, Ali Adams, a Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, said recovery efforts for the bodies could take several days. Adams explained the plane crashed in a "very rugged and extensive and rocky terrain."
Adams revealed first responders had to hike to rescue the injured person from the crash site.
What we know about Civil Air patrol crash Colorado victims
According to a Facebook profile, Civil Air patrol plane crash victim Susan Wolber, who is a Fort Collins, Colorado native, was a commercial pilot and flight instructor. In a 2013 blog, Wolber revealed she spent copious time “doing and teaching” Search and Rescue through Civil Air Patrol.
At the time, Wolber revealed she had a “1/5 share of a corporation that owns a fun plane." She also had managing ownership of an LLC that owned her dream airplane, an N1541W, a 1972 A36 Beech Bonanza.
In a statement, Governor Jared Polis condoled the deaths of pilot Susan Wolber and Jaerial photographer Jay Rhoten.
“I’m saddened to hear 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 said the deceased victims and survivor, Randall Settergren, served the Civil Air Patrol as a volunteers “who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all.”
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, adjutant general of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, added:
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"The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state.”
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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