Maine game warden dies in plane crash during fish air-drop operation

"A Maine Game Warden died Tuesday during a fish air-dropping operation when his aircraft crashed in Avon, Maine, authorities announced. The incident took place around 11 a.m. near Schoolhouse Pond, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife shared in a Facebook post. In a subsequent Facebook post Wednesday, authorities identified the pilot as 50-year-old Joshua Tibbetts."

"Tibbetts, who was also a father, served as a Game Warden for 18 years, including the last three as a pilot for Maine Warden Service. His role in aviation was vital to public safety and state conservation efforts, supporting law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife conservation, and search and rescue missions, according to the Facebook post."

"At a press conference Wednesday, Maine Warden Service Colonel Dan Scott said Tibbetts was on a solo mission - which he noted is typical practice for such operations - when he was assisting the Bureau of Fisheries by stocking fish in various lakes and ponds throughout western Maine. There were no known distress signals transmitted prior to the incident, according to Scott. The Maine Warden Service first learned of the crash through an automated signal, a feature equipped on all their aircraft to activate upon impact, he added."

"Tim Peabody, acting commissioner for Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, said officials are not aware of a mechanical failure or a medical emergency involving the pilot leading up to the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation into the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the crash, according to Scott."

A Maine Game Warden died during a fish air-dropping operation when his aircraft crashed in Avon, Maine. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. near Schoolhouse Pond. Joshua Tibbetts, 50, was identified as the pilot. He served as a Game Warden for 18 years, including the last three as a pilot for the Maine Warden Service. His aviation work supported law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife conservation, and search and rescue missions. Authorities said he was on a solo mission assisting the Bureau of Fisheries by stocking fish in lakes and ponds in western Maine. No distress signals were known to have been transmitted, and the service learned of the crash through an automated impact signal. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

Read at Boston.com