Missing Pilot In Rostraver Found Dead
ROSTRAVER (KDKA) - A missing pilot in Westmoreland County was found dead Thursday morning.
Rostraver Airport officials said the ultralight gyro helicopter was found 2,000 feet into the woods.
David Charletta's sister said he loved to fly. Those who knew the 62-year-old West Newton man said he was well-known for his skills.
"I know he's a good pilot. I've talked to him about flying and doing some things. I wanted to get some things done and he was the man," Dewain Annonio said.
Charletta's sister said he was last seen leaving the hanger around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
When he didn't show up around 5 p.m. to meet up with friends, his family called the airport, who then called in a search team.
Crews used a helicopter and did ground searches, but had to pull out around 1 a.m. Thursday because of fog.
Charletta's family was also part of the search. Ultimately, it would be another plane that would find the wreckage around 9 a.m. in a steep ravine.
Emergency response crews then found his body nearby.
Charletta was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Westmoreland County Coroner says he died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries.
The FAA has been called to investigate the cause of the crash.
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