Single-engine California Highway Patrol plane crashes in Southern California; pilot killed

Calif. Highway Patrol plane crashes; pilot killed

IMPERIAL, Calif. — Authorities say a small California Highway Patrol plane has crashed in Imperial County near the San Diego County border, killing the pilot.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says search crews found the wreckage of the Cessna 206 late Friday afternoon, about 12 miles northeast of Agua Caliente Springs. The pilot was the only person on board, and he died at the scene.

Gregor says the pilot last contacted the CHP base at 10:24 a.m. and reported he was over Imperial.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. No other details were released.