Susan Wolber, Jay Rhoten Obituary, Death: Civil Air Patrol plane crash in Colorado leaves 2 dead, 1 injured.
Susan Wolber, Jay Rhoten Obituary, Death – A tragic Civil Air Patrol plane crash in Colorado claimed the lives of the pilot and an aerial photographer, while leaving the co-pilot injured, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Saturday in Larimer County during a routine training mission.
Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten were identified as the two fatalities, as confirmed by a statement from Governor Jared Polis’ office. The co-pilot, Randall Settergren, sustained injuries in the crash and was airlifted to a medical facility by the Colorado Army National Guard using a helicopter.
Governor Polis expressed his condolences and gratitude for the victims’ dedication to service, stating on the social media platform X: “The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten. I also want to thank the first responders who assisted with the rescue and recovery efforts.”
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization comprising 60,000 members across the nation. It operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and is instrumental in conducting inland search and rescue operations within the continental United States. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center credits the CAP with saving an average of 70 lives annually.
Beyond its search and rescue missions, CAP volunteers perform a range of critical services. These include homeland security tasks, disaster relief operations, and drug interdiction missions, often at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. Its members, who serve without pay, contribute significantly to emergency response and community safety across the country.
The crash underscores the risks faced by CAP members during training and operational missions, even as they work to enhance safety and support for their communities. Investigators are likely to review the circumstances of the crash to determine its cause and prevent future incidents.
This incident highlights the essential role of the Civil Air Patrol in national and regional emergency services. Its commitment to life-saving missions, disaster management, and other critical operations reflects the dedication of its volunteers, whose contributions remain invaluable to the nation.
