AVON –– Federal officials are investigating a plane crash that killed a Maine game warden on Tuesday, October 3, around 11 a.m.
Game Warden Josh Tibbetts, 50, from New Gloucester, was the only occupant of the crash, which occurred in the woods near Schoolhouse Pond, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The incident occurred while Tibbetts was involved in a fish restocking project. Preliminary reports from the FAA indicate the aircraft, a Cessna A185F fixed-wing, single-engine plane registered to the IFW, crashed “under unknown circumstances.”
No additional injuries or fatalities were reported. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, and an investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
According to FAA records, the Cessna aircraft has a history of reliability. Jay Wiles, a spokesperson for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, affirmed that Cessna has produced a significant number of dependable aircraft over the years.
Pilot Stephen Williams, who has been in aviation for 45 years, stated that the Cessna 185 is commonly used by agencies, including the warden service. He noted the aircraft can operate in extreme weather conditions and can be equipped for land, water, or snow landings.
The Flight Safety Foundation reported that variants of the Cessna 185 have been in operation since 1960, with the A185F variant involved in 60 accidents nationwide since January 1, 2020, resulting in 8 fatalities. This data includes the recent crash.