AVON, Maine – A small plane crash claimed the life of a Maine game warden on May 12, with investigations ongoing into the incident.
Maine Game Warden Josh Tibbetts, 50, from New Gloucester, died when the Cessna A185F he was piloting went down near Schoolhouse Pond. The crash occurred as Tibbetts was flying southwest along the pond’s eastern shore, making a right turn approximately 400 yards from the water.
According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the single-engine aircraft, fitted for water landings, had taken off from a seaplane base at Crystal Lake in Harrison. It was carrying two fish pods aimed at stocking Schoolhouse Pond, having previously flown to Rangely Lake to load the pods.
The wreckage was discovered in a “nose down attitude” in the woods, exhibiting significant damage to the wings and fuselage, while the tail assembly remained relatively intact. The report did not provide conclusions regarding the cause of the crash.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and no further details on lane closures or emergency responses have been provided at this time.