The man on a mower at Frazier Lake Airpark killed by an airplane was a Hollister Airport Commissioner.
Sheriff’s authorities suspect an airplane landed at Frazier Lake Airpark and then struck a riding mower Thursday morning, killing the Hollister man on the grass runway, according to a statement released Thursday evening.
The sheriff’s office, which acts as the coroner, released the victim’s identity Friday morning. The victim was Douglas Ralph Jackson, 75, of Hollister.
Jackson was appointed on the five-member Hollister Airport Commission, which advises the Hollister City Council on matters related to the Hollister Municipal Airport, confirmed Gordon Machado, another airport commissioner.
Jackson was initially appointed to the airport commission on Oct. 24, 2007, according to the Interim City Clerk Christine Black.
Jackson was an aviation enthusiast who owned an airplane and took an active volunteer role in Hollister airport matters, including the Hollister Airshow, Machado said.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the 10:30 a.m. Thursday crash at Frazier Lake Airpark resulting in the death of Jackson while on a riding mower. Investigators believe the single-engine plane on the way from San Jose to the private landing strip in San Benito County touched down on the grass runway and then struck the riding mower, according to a statement.
The pilot of the airplane is from Monte Sereno and sustained minor injuries. The one passenger was airlifted to a Bay Area trauma center with a large head laceration and his status is unknown, according to authorities.
Federal authorities will determine a cause.
According to that statement released Thursday evening:
Our preliminary investigation shows the decedent was on a riding mower, on the runway. Frazier Lake Airpark is a private airfield with one grass and one water runway. The decedent was mowing the runway when an older WW2 style “taildragger” plane landed on the runway. The pilot did not see the male on the riding mower and struck him after landing. The FAA and NTSB are investigating as to the cause of the crash. As of this point neither weather nor mechanics seem to be a factor. The plane had completed its landing and struck the male after all wheels had touched down.
The pilot, from Monte Sereno, was en route from Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, to Frazier Lake where he has a hangar. He sustained minor injuries to his head and arm and was treated and released at the scene. He was cooperating with FAA and NTSB Officials. His passenger sustained a large head laceration and was airlifted to an area trauma center. His condition is unknown.
The FAA and NTSB will determine the cause of the crash. As of this point, there are no criminal charges pending. The identity of the decedent will be released shortly after next of kin have been notified.
Katie Helland contributed to this report.
