A local pilot crashed into a house just to the southeast of the Cottonwood Airport on Monday, Sept. 17, at about 9:45 a.m. Cottonwood Police and Fire along with Verde Valley Fire District and Verde Valley Ambulance Company responded to the 900 block of Tierra Verde Circle for an aircraft into a residence.
The single-engine Bonanza Beechcraft was fully involved with fire. The only occupant, 70-year-old Joseph William Kreiner, of Clarkdale, self-extricated but suffered serious injuries.
Kreiner was flown to Maricopa Burn Center for advanced medical care.
Cottonwood police announced Tuesday, Sept. 18, that Kreiner succumbed to his injuries but had his family by his side when he died.
The fire was extinguished but the airplane is a total loss. The residence suffered minimal structural damage.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be responding to the scene. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time but the pilot stated on scene that his engine stopped.
