Pilot Dies in Plane Crash at Gnoss Field

A tragic plane crash at Gnoss Field Airport in Novato on Saturday resulted in the death of 75-year-old pilot Jeffrey Buren Khahling from Redding. The single-engine Aero Commander 200D crashed into a hangar shortly after takeoff around 3:50 p.m., igniting a fire that engulfed both the aircraft and the hangar. Firefighters quickly responded, extinguishing the flames and preventing further damage to the surrounding area, including nearby fuel tanks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the crash, collecting data on flight conditions and maintenance logs. The wreckage has been moved to a secured facility for further examination, while a forensic postmortem examination has been scheduled to confirm the pilot's identity. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane struggle during takeoff before the crash, raising questions about potential causes.