The search for a suspected plane crash came to an end on Wednesday with the discovery of the crash site southwest of Rock Springs. The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that the pilot, 50-year-old Kelly Melvin of Green River, was found deceased at the crash site located in a remote area near Little Mountain. Melvin was reported missing on Tuesday afternoon after having departed the airport near Rock Springs but failed to reach his destination in California. At approximately 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Utah Air National Guard deployed an Apache helicopter with nighttime search capabilities, identifying a possible area of interest near Little Mountain around 10:30 p.m. Ground crews staged in the area early Wednesday morning. At approximately 8 a.m., the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol deployed a fixed-wing aircraft to confirm the findings reported by the Apache crew. Later in the morning, the Wyoming Army National Guard deployed a Huey helicopter equipped with emergency medical and hoist capabilities to assist. The Sheriff’s Office offered their deepest condolences to the family and friends mourning this tragic accident.
