Gardnerville pilot’s plane, remains found in Amador County
By Sam Cohen, FOX40 News
AMADOR COUNTY — The plane of a missing winery owner has been found in Amador County near Salt Spring Reservoir.
Search and rescue aircraft flew over areas in Amador and Calaveras counties Friday looking for Robert H. “Budge” Brown and his plane.
Friday afternoon, Brown’s son confirmed to FOX40 that his father’s plane was found in Amador County. The son said he was numb from the news, and his heart sank as he watched news coverage Friday night. A body was found in the wreckage.
According to Amador County sheriff’s deputies, around 3:45 Friday afternoon, members of the search team found the wreckage of Brown’s Lancair plane south of Bear River Reservoir in very rugged, snow covered terrain in the El Dorado National Forest.
The plane crashed outside the initial search area that was covered by ground crews. The wreckage covers about a 300-yard area, but officials were able to find the tail and serial number and did confirm the plane belongs to Brown. They also found personal items in the debris, including Brown’s passport.
