Share
PORTERVILLE — A pilot died Monday when a single-engine plane crashed and burned near Porterville Municipal Airport, authorities said.
The plane had taken off from the airport and went down at around 2:30 p.m. in a field near one end of the runway, authorities said.
The aircraft was incinerated.
The FAA said the pilot was trying to return to the airport when the crash occurred.
Pilot Identified
The 144th Fighter Wing said Tuesday that Lt. Col. Billy ‘Taz’ Sullivan was killed in the crash.
Sullivan, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was off-duty and flying his personal plane.
He recently became operations director for the 194th Fighter Squadron.
“The 144th Fighter Wing family is deeply saddened at the sudden loss of one of our own,” the 144th Fighter Wing said on Facebook. “On June 7, Lt Col Billy “Taz” Sullivan suffered a fatal accident while flying his personal aircraft.
“Billy was a force multiplier for all who knew him and was truly larger than life. His death will impact many people because he had a mission to help and connect with everyone he knew. He had a thirst for life and wanted to share his love of aviation and passion for adventure with anyone and everyone he encountered.
“Our condolences and sympathies go out to his wife, Diane, and his family and friends.”
About the Plane

The National Transportation Safety Board, which will investigate, identified the aircraft as a Vans RV6A.
The RV6A is a two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplane sold in kit form by Van’s Aircraft.
More than 2,500 kits have been completed and flown.
The plane, which has a maximum speed of 210 mph, was used as a military trainer by the Nigerian Air Force and earned the nickname “Air Beetle.”
(Associated Press contributed to this article.)
RELATED TOPICS:
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
22 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
22 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
23 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
13 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
18 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
20 hours ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
21 hours ago
No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits
21 hours ago
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
22 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
22 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
23 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
13 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
18 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
20 hours ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
21 hours ago
No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits
21 hours ago
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
22 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
22 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
23 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
