A Tahoe City woman died and a Tahoe City man was critically injured Monday morning when the plane they were in crashed about six miles from the Truckee airport.

Darla Sue Farnell, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray Richard Farnell, 70, was listed in critical condition the evening of March 3 at Renown Medical Center.

At this time it is not known why the Piper PA-46 Malibu crashed Monday just before 11am on Martis Creek near Juniper Creek. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

Placer County sheriff’s deputies learned of the crash from the Oakland Air Traffic Control Center.

It took a couple hours for rescue personnel to find the downed plane in rugged terrain.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report