Plane Crash at Gnoss Field- Solo Occupant Perishes

On 8/31/2024, at approximately 1550 hours, Marin County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received calls that a small airplane had crash at Gnoss Field (Novato, CA). The reporting party told dispatch the airplane and a hangar which the airplane crashed into were both on fire. Upon arrival, units could see the airplane and the hangar were entirely engulfed in flames. At the time, it was unknown if there were any occupants still inside the airplane.

Fire Department Personnel arrived and began to extinguish the flames to the airplane, hangar and the subsequent fire that began burning brush in the surrounding areas. Bystanders informed fire personnel there were fuel tanks in neighboring hangars that were additional hazards.

The single engine airplane was completely burned, sadly taking the life of the solo occupant/ pilot. Due to the extent of the fire, the identity of the pilot is pending a forensic postmortem examination.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified. The Marin County Sheriff's Office is assisting in the investigation, which is being conducted by these specialized investigative entities. The airplane wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further investigation by the NTSB.

A forensic postmortem examination with routine toxicology testing will be completed on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigations being completed by the FAA, NTSB and the Marin County Sheriff's Office - Coroner Division. No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.