Pilot error likely caused plane crash that killed North Coast family

Pilot error is the probable cause of a Shasta County plane crash that killed four North Coast residents last May, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Safety officials said the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed during landing, causing the plane to stall and crash into the ground.

Pilot Keith Paulson, 61, his wife, Jaynie Paulson, 58, their son’s longtime girlfriend, Jennifer Drake, all of Albion and their son-in-law, Vince Whitely, 32, of Windsor, died when their plane crashed near the small community of Fall River Mills.

The four were headed to a golf tournament in Fall River Mills when the single-engine Bonanza went down during landing maneuvers.

Witnesses reported the airplane flew low over the local golf course before banking to the right to land at the small airport, the Safety Board reported.

The landing gear and flaps were down during the low pass, according to the report.

After turning to line up with the runway, the airplane dove to the ground, nose-down, the report said. The plane struck trees as it crashed and caught fire in a wooded area about a half mile from the runway.

The Paulsons had lived on the Mendocino Coast since 1976 and owned Paulson Excavating, which contracted for large-scale projects.

Keith Paulson also was a golf coach at Mendocino High School and a former Albion-Little River volunteer firefighter.

Jaynie Paulson was a former member of the Mendocino County Unified School District board.

Whitely was a graphic designer with a Santa Rosa marketing firm.

Drake was an athlete, avid gardener and cook who regularly golfed with a group of friends and frequently joined Keith and Jaynie Paulson on golfing expeditions.

Family and friends described Keith Paulson as a careful pilot with 25 years of experience.