Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office UPDATE:
Additional information update regarding the aircraft fatality in Buffalo County on the morning of Friday June 2, 2023. The victim, who was the pilot / lone occupant of the aircraft has been identified as John G. Reading, age 69, of Broomfield, CO. An autopsy was performed in Omaha, NE. The aircraft was a single engine Van’s VR-7. NTSB is continuing their investigation. Next of kin have been notified.
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The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is assisting in an aviation crash involving a small aircraft approximately 12 miles east of Kearney, NE. At approximately 9:12 AM the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office was notified by a citizen of an aircraft crash south of Interstate 80 east of Kearney, NE. First responders were able to locate the crash site in a field near the east end of Bassway Strip State Wildlife Management Area. The crash appears to involve a small single engine aircraft. Preliminary investigation indicates there was no survivor. No other information can be officially confirmed at this time regarding the occupant of the aircraft. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Kearney Police Department, NE Game & Parks Commission, Nebraska State Patrol, Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department, Buffalo County Attorney’s Office, FAA and NTSB.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will also be investigating. The contact information for the NTSB Public Affairs Office is 202-314-6100.
