Elma Municipal Airport: Elma, Washington

Airport is located 1 mile south west of Elma.

On July 22, 2009, at 1447 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N6422U, sustained substantial damage following an in-flight collision with trees, power transmission lines and terrain approximately 5 miles northwest of Elma, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. The airplane was registered to the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) fire patrol flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The flight departed Olympia, Washington, at 1417; no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at Olympia and the accident location.

A witness observed smoke trailing from the airplane as it descended towards trees. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted trees and power transmission lines.