Sutter County Airport plane crash leaves pilot dead, authorities say

A pilot has died after a small plane went through a fence at Sutter County Airport on Thursday morning, authorities said.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a Van's RV-4 went through the airport fence around 7:10 a.m. Only the pilot was aboard.According to the Sutter County Sheriff's Office, 68-year-old Yuba City resident Gerald Binse was piloting the plane. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Sutter County Airport, located just south of Yuba City and Marysville, will remain closed until Friday morning, the sheriff's office said.A Van's RV-4 is a small, two-seat plane commonly built from a kit.The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate, with the NTSB leading.The NTSB said the plane crashed under unknown circumstances at Sutter County Airport. An investigator is expected to arrive at the scene Friday morning to document the crash site and examine the aircraft before it is moved to a secure facility for further evaluation.As part of the investigation, the agency said it will review flight track data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions, the pilot's flight experience, witness statements, surveillance video and other evidence that could help determine what happened.Anyone who witnessed the crash or has surveillance video or other information related to the incident is asked to contact the NTSB at [email protected] agency said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report identifying the probable cause of the crash could take 12 to 24 months to complete.