Gainesville man killed in ultralight plane crash

By Alexandra Bogdanovic

By Alexandra Bogdanovic

Times-Democrat Staff Writer

For the second time in a matter of a few weeks, an ultralight plane crash here has resulted in a fatality.

According to Virginia State Police Sgt. Les Tyler, James Andrew Gottschalk of Gainesville died in an ultralight plane crash in the southern end of Fauquier County on May 23.

Gottschalk was 43.

Tyler said the crash happened at approximately 11:30 a.m. Gottschalk, who was flying a two-seat, ultralight aircraft, apparently lost control and went into a tree line near a field in the 11400 block of U.S. 17 [Marsh Road] just south of Bealeton.

In addition to the state police, Fauquier County deputies and Remington Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the call.

Shortly after noon, the authorities had cordoned off a large field behind one home on the northbound side of U.S. 17. Police cars and an ambulance could be seen near the tree line, and a state police helicopter circled the area where the authorities began to investigate the crash.

Tyler said that Gottschalk owned the ultralight aircraft he had been flying. The aircraft appeared to be an experimental model.

State police said on Tuesday that Gottschalk's took off from a gliderport on Beach Road south of Warrenton.

Gottschalk was the only person in the plane, Tyler said. The pilot reportedly died at the scene.

Trooper Eric Linkous of the Area 12 Office in Warrenton is conducting the investigation, which is ongoing.

The Federal Aviation Administration was also notified about the crash.

The first fatality

Emory B. Wood, 63, of Broad Run, also died in an ultralight plane crash.

Police said the accident occurred April 17, when Wood's Phantom X-1 crashed into a tree. The accident reportedly occurred after Wood took off from a landing strip on Beach Road property south of Warrenton.

E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com