All 3 victims killed in Bay Area-bound Reno plane crash ID'd

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ByDavid Louie KGO logo
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
All 3 victims killed in Bay Area-bound Reno plane crash ID'd
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating why a small crashed after take-off from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport with three people on board.

RENO, Nevada (KGO) -- Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating why the Piper Cherokee crashed right after take-off from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport Sunday evening with three people on board.

All three victims have been identified. The pilot was Robert Drescher, a 57-year-old male from Stevenson Ranch in Southern California.

The second was Ed Mumbert, 46, from Santa Cruz. Mumbert was a long-time bail bondsman based in the South Bay. He was bringing back a client he had hunted down who skipped bail. She has been identified as Ronni Hernandez, 34. Her city of residence is unknown.

The single engine Piper PA-28 was bound for San Carlos when it smashed into the airport parking lot.

Mumbert's death was confirmed to ABC7 News by family pastor Dick Bernal of Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose.

"I don't know the pilot, but he was a colleague," said Bernal.

Mumbert worked by himself, but once had an office in San Jose. He was a member of the Jubilee Congregation and would sometimes provide security when pastor Bernal went overseas to potentially dangerous places.

"Ed was always there. Generous, big heart, 400-pound rugby player, great athlete. Everybody loved Ed," he said.

The church now will be planning a memorial service as family members arrive from Idaho and Southern California. T

"You didn't want to run. Ed would find you. He'd find you in Ohio, he'd find you in China. He would find you. If you ran, Ed would find you," said Bernal.

The pilot just became a tenant at the San Carlos airport two weeks ago.

The plane has a lengthy flying history, so it doesn't appear the pilot is new to flying, just new to the airport.