PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fire Department’s most senior firefighter/EMT died Thursday morning when the lightweight airplane he was flying crashed into an empty hangar at William R. Fairchild International Airport.
The body of Patrick W. Rose, 52, of Sequim was taken from the scene of the crash yesterday afternoon by a procession of fire trucks.
Rose had worked for 27 years in the department and was due to retire in November, said City Manager Mark Madsen.
Rose was the only occupant of the wooden Mini-Max 1100 ultralight plane.
The Police Department is investigating the crash, Chief Tom Riepe said.
Preliminary information from the investigation indicates it was an equipment malfunction, Riepe said.
The results of the investigation will be turned over Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Kelly, who is also the county’s coroner.
“He had been up for awhile, flying around, no troubles,” said Administrative Sgt. Ed Schilke, a spokesman for the Police Department.
“Coming back (witnesses) heard the engine revving, and saw what pretty much looked like a nose dive.”
Witnesses called 9-1-1 at about 11:43 a.m. to report the crash near the west end of the airport. Additional calls reported that Rose had perished.
The plane was owned by Glen Shaw of Sequim.
