Pilot Of A Deadly Plane Crash Appears In Court

Monday, December 18th 2006, 7:47 am

By: News On 6

A pilot who survived the crash of a small aircraft that killed three passengers has made his first court appearance. Bail for Brent Caldwell was set at $300,000 at Mondayâ€™s hearing.

Officials say Caldwell was at the controls of a single-engine Viking aircraft when it crashed into Grand Lake near Disney on Saturday. Three passengers, 15-year-old Mariano Carlos of Pryor, 20-year-old Eduardo Ortiz Robles and 33-year-old Campos Gonzalez, were killed in the crash.

An OHP trooper who responded to the site says Caldwell smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Troopers say results of a blood test show Caldwell was under the influence of alcohol. Officials also say Caldwell was flying without a valid pilot's license.

Officials from the FAA, NTSB, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol have examined the wreckage, and believe the plane's propeller was not working at the time of the crash.

Caldwell has not been formally charged in Saturdayâ€™s plane crash, but he was arrested on three counts of manslaughter. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.