DNA results released Friday confirmed the identify of a New York businessman killed in a plane crash in East Carson City on June 16, authorities said.
A toothbrush belonging to James Edwardson of Yaphank, N.Y., was provided to the Washoe County coroner's office, where a criminologist was able to extract DNA that matched remains found in the aircraft, said Detective Richard Mendoza of the Carson City Sheriff's Department.
Edwardson's six-seater aircraft crashed into a field off Arrowhead Drive. Identification found in a wallet belonging to Edwardson and statements made by his family led investigators to believe he was the sole victim of the crash, but the state of the remains made traditional identification impossible.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, Edwardson, 61, left Brookhaven Airport in Shirley, N.Y., on June 14. He stopped in Allentown, Penn., Murray, Ky., Mansfield, Ohio, Darlington, S.C., Dodge City, Kan., and Provo, Utah, where the plane's fuel was topped off the morning of June 16.
His family said Edwardson's plan was to travel across the U.S. stopping at different airports in which he was interested.
Witnesses said the plane appeared to be circling to re-approach the Carson City airport when it began a shallow climb and the engine started to sputter.
About a quarter mile south of the runway's end, the plane started to turn left when the nose dropped and it spiraled to earth. The impact started a 1-acre brush fire that was quickly contained.
The final cause of the accident remains under investigation by the safety board.
Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
