Mountain Training Mission Claims Lives of Veteran Search-and-Rescue Volunteers
A Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 crashed in the northern peaks of Colorado’s Larimer County on November 23, 2024, claiming the lives of two seasoned volunteers and critically wounding another. The wreckage, discovered in remote mountain terrain, marked the patrol’s first fatal training accident this year. Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten perished at the scene. At the same time, co-pilot Randall Settergren battles severe injuries at a regional trauma center after an emergency airlift from the crash site.
5 Key Points
- The Cessna 182 went down during an aerial photography certification exercise in Larimer County
- Search-and-rescue veterans Susan Wolber and Jay Rhoten died at the remote crash site
- Co-pilot Randall Settergren survived the mountain impact with critical injuries
- The aircraft operated under the U.S. Air Force auxiliary’s training program
- Federal investigators launched a comprehensive crash investigation
Aerial Mission Turns Fatal in Colorado Rockies
The Civil Air Patrol’s Cessna 182 departed under clear November skies, carrying seasoned volunteers through Colorado’s northern ranges. Within hours, the wreckage lay scattered across Larimer County’s rugged terrain. Sheriff’s deputies scaled the remote crash site to find pilot Susan Wolber and photographer Jay Rhoten dead among the debris. At the same time, co-pilot Randall Settergren clung to life until a medical helicopter arrived. The three-member crew, executing precision maneuvers for aerial photography certification, represented decades of combined search-and-rescue experience in the U.S. Air Force auxiliary’s mountain operations division.
Colorado’s Emergency Response Network Shaken
The Civil Air Patrol’s mountain division stands as Colorado’s aerial guardian, orchestrating rescues from the Eastern Plains to the Continental Divide. Their missions range from aerial surveillance of wildfires to winter searches for stranded backcountry skiers. “These volunteers embody Colorado’s spirit of service,” Gov. Jared Polis declared, detailing how patrol teams brave treacherous conditions to transport emergency personnel and medical supplies to the state’s most isolated communities. Last year alone, the patrol’s volunteer crews logged 3,000 flight hours across 200 emergency missions.
Military and State Leadership Unite in Mourning
Gov. Jared Polis and Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan’s joint address resonated through the state capitol as they honored their fallen emergency responders. “The lifesaving work they do directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state,” Clellan proclaimed, her voice carrying the weight of command responsibility. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs lowered flags across Colorado bases, marking the loss of Wolber and Rhoten. First responders from across Larimer County mobilized for the mountain recovery operation, drawing praise from state leadership for their swift response in treacherous conditions.
Federal Investigators Launch Mountain Crash Probe
National Transportation Safety Board investigators descended on the crash site, beginning their meticulous examination of the wreckage strewn across Larimer County’s peaks. The Civil Air Patrol’s command structure mobilized to support the federal probe, providing maintenance records, flight plans, and training documentation. The investigation encompasses weather conditions during impact, mechanical systems analysis, and the crew’s extensive mountain flight experience. Board officials expect their preliminary findings to shed light on the sequence of events that brought down the experienced crew during their certification exercise.
FAQ
Q: What qualifications did the Civil Air Patrol crew possess?
A: They were veteran volunteers with specialized training in mountain search-and-rescue operations.
Q: What conditions existed during the training flight?
A: The specific weather and flight conditions remain under NTSB investigation.
Q: How does the Civil Air Patrol serve Colorado?
A: They conduct search-and-rescue operations, wildfire surveillance, emergency transport, and disaster response across the state.
Q: Where exactly did the crash occur?
A: In a mountainous region of Larimer County, Colorado, with specific coordinates pending the NTSB report.
Q: What type of training were they conducting?
A: An aerial photography certification exercise crucial for search-and-rescue operations.
Citations
Julia Reinstein and Tristan Maglunog (November 24, 2024). Two dead, one injured in single-engine plane crash in Colorado. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/civil-air-patrol-single-engine-plane-crash-colorado/story?id=116179779
