Army
Medi-Vac Pilot &
San
Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy
Plane Goes Down
Editor E T Russell
Sunday afternoon, July 30, 2017____ According to information released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff, the Sheriff’s 40-King Helicopter Crew located the
site of a downed single engine aircraft in the Sawmill Canyon area, southeast
of Bear Mountain, at approximately 9:30 A.M.
The Sheriff’s Ground Recovery Team was activated to the rugged terrain,
basically on the back-side, southern slope of the Sugarloaf community.
Concern for the aircraft and occupants
originated Saturday night when the Apple Valley Police were requested to
respond to the Apple Valley Airport in search of a vehicle belonging to Brian
White. The reporting party stated that pilot White and passenger Rebecca
Raymond were to be returning from the Airport in Big Bear City and was
overdue. Authorities located the vehicle at the Apple Valley Airport and
contacted the Aviation Division for assistance. An aerial search began
immediately, searching the area between the Big Bear City and Apple Valley
airports.
Sunday afternoon, when a flight crew member was
hoisted to the wreckage, two persons; an adult male and female, were confirmed
deceased. The female was identified as Rebecca Joan Raymond. The male was
identified as Brian White, the pilot who
rented the Cessna. The identification of the deceased was confirmed by the San
Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner.
Raymond is a San Bernardino County Deputy
Sheriff assigned to the Barstow Sheriff Station and, has been Deputy Sheriff since
September of 2016.
U.S. Army Medi-vac Pilot Brian White rented the
single-engine Cessna 172 at the Apple Valley Airport, to bring his girlfriend,
Rebecca Raymond to Big Bear Lake for the weekend.
Brian White cleverly coordinated his plans of a
surprise marriage proposal, including inviting her parents to be at the Big
Bear Airport to witness the special occasion, Friday afternoon. To celebrate
the couple’s meeting second anniversary the highlight event took place
immediately upon departing the Cessna.
Brian knelt on the carpet runner and proposed to Rebecca. The thrilled
Girlfriend said “Yes!” with parents, Mike and Christy Raymond joyfully
approving!
FAA and NTSB assisted the San Bernardino County
Sheriff Aviation Division with the investigation. The cause of the
aircraft tragedy could not be determined and the investigation is ongoing.
I, E T Russell,
feel honored to have been present, Friday July 28th when the Cessna
arrived and met with Mike and Christy Raymond, daughter Rebecca Raymond and
Brian White. Out of respect for the
families and friends, I have chosen to delay with more information about this
unfortunate calamity.
When the
investigation results are released, the information will be posted here: http://www.bigbearlake.net/ETNews