Police: Richmond Hill Man Dead in Plane Crash

Police said pilot's missing plane located Saturday in pond.

By: Tuquyen Mach | WSAV-TV
Published: March 07, 2010

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SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Authorities said a 77 year-old Richmond Hill man died after his plane apparently crashed in a pond.

Savannah-Chatham Metro Police said they got a call around 7:00 p.m. Friday about a 1946 white and blue Luscombe plane that had taken off from Hodge Airfield around 9:30 a.m. The plane was believed to be on the way to Ossabaw Island but hadn't returned.

Chatham County Emergency Management Agency and the Tybee Coast Guard started searching, along with Eagle One, the Metro Police helicopter.

The search resumed Saturday morning with Eagle One possibly locating the plane in a pond off Highway 204.

Metro officers, plus Savannah and Southside Fire Departments conducted a ground search but found nothing in the area. The Metro dive and rescue team confirmed the plane's location and found the body of pilot Arthur Gatreau.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.