The pilot of a single-engine aircraft has been located deceased near Tehachapi.

On February 14, 2021, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and Kern County Fire Department received a report of an aircraft that had gone missing on February 13, 2021, in the area around Oak Creek Road and Tehachapi Willow Springs Road.  Units responded and searched the area, but had to suspend their search due to weather conditions.  Kern County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue resumed the search on February 15, 2021, and at approximately 8:40 a.m., an airplane was located in mountainous terrain west of Tehachapi Willow Springs Road, south of Oak Creek Road.   A deceased subject was located with the wreckage.   

At this time, it appears the plane left Camarillo, Ca, and was headed to Mammoth Lakes, Ca.  On February 13, 2021, at the time of the suspected crash, there were high winds and low visibility in the area.  The FAA and NTSB has been notified and will conduct an investigation into the crash.  The victim’s identity will be released by the Coroner’s Office at a later time.