Bodies recovered from plane crash

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000 | 10:16 a.m.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what caused last week's Cessna crash in the Red Rock Canyon area that killed a California couple.

The bodies of Kazushige Hayashi, 69, and Kazuko Hayashi, 68, were recovered by rescue workers over the holiday weekend. The couple lived in Las Vegas and Walnut Creek, Calif.

The couple had taken off from the North Las Vegas Airport Tuesday. Clark County Department of Aviation spokeswoman Debbie Millett said details of the crash and planned flight route would not be available until after Labor Day.

Rescuers located the crash site shortly after the plane went down, but because of limited access, crews needed a helicopter to pull the bodies out.

Bad weather postponed any attempt to raise the bodies until Friday, but winds remained too strong when a rescue helicopter arrived on scene, said Ron Given, manager of the Hites Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements for the family in Las Vegas. An attempt on Saturday was successful.

The bodies will be cremated and sent to Walnut Creek for burial.

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