Pilot Dies in Grass Valley Plane Crash, Investigation Underway

A small plane crashed Thursday morning in Grass Valley, California, killing the only occupant, identified as Robert Lund of Newcastle. Lund had departed from the Auburn airport in his 1997 Cessna Cardinal and issued a mayday call reporting engine failure while approaching the Nevada County airport before losing contact with the tower. Emergency crews responded to the crash site on Whispering Pines Lane after several 911 calls around 8:20 a.m., but Lund was pronounced dead at the scene, with authorities noting that life-saving measures were impossible. Police believe Lund attempted to avoid crashing into populated areas, as the location is typically busy during business hours, and no buildings were affected by the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident, and the area remains closed to traffic as authorities conduct their work. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.