NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — It's been a tough week for Nevada County aviation enthusiasts after losing one of their own in a plane crash.
Gabriel Kulp, a 49-year-old pilot from Grass Valley, was killed when his plane crashed near the Kneeland Airport in Humboldt County July 23.
He was known as Gabe by the local flying club he was part of, the Golden Empire Flying Association. President Juan Browne and other members were heartbroken to hear the news of his death.
"Devastating, just absolutely devastating. I've been doing this for almost 50 years now and it's never gets any easier," said Browne, who is also an airline pilot from Grass Valley.
A mechanic on board, 60-year-old Thomias Smith from Carmichael, also died after the crash. The two worked for a company called Amentum and were contractors for Cal Fire. At the time, they left from McClellan Airport in Sacramento County to fix a helicopter.
"At this time we're just standing by for an update," Browne said. "It's just terribly tragic what's happened and the beautiful family that's been left behind."
Browne told ABC10 Kulp was well known among the Nevada County aviation community. He was a welder who made a career change to become a pilot after discovering a passion for flying.
"Gabe was a pillar of the local community," Browne said. "He'd gotten bitten by the bug of aviation about eight years ago and learned to fly and this year was his first year of realizing his dream."
Browne says his dream was becoming a professional pilot for Cal Fire.
"He got that dream job with Cal Fire and that's what he really wanted to do was become a Cal Fire pilot," he said.
Browne said Kulp was also instrumental in helping with scholarship rides raising money for youth interested in aviation.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still conducting its investigation to find out what caused the crash. A preliminary report should be available in a few weeks.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Deadly Humboldt County plane crash under investigation
