Missing pilot, plane found after fatal crash and search in Sweetwater County

ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — The search for a missing pilot and aircraft that began on Tuesday culminated Wednesday, Jan. 15, with the discovery of the crash site in a remote area near Little Mountain, southwest of Rock Springs.

The pilot, identified as Kelly Melvin, 50, of Green River, was found dead at the crash site.

The intensive search operations, coordinated by the sheriff ’s office search and rescue team, involved numerous agencies.

The search began after the sheriff’s office received a missing person report on Tuesday afternoon for a Green River man whose Piper Comanche aircraft failed to arrive at its scheduled destination in California.

The crash site was discovered on Saturday at around 2 p.m. following a coordinated ground and aerial search. The sheriff ’s office secured the scene and notified state and federal aviation officials. The crash is under investigation.

This story was published on January 18, 2025.