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Huntsville residents are sad to hear about the death of a well-known member of the community. Gene Wahlstrom was killed while piloting an air tanker in Nevada this week.
Reno's NBC station reported an air tanker somehow caught fire while taking off and crash-landed near the Stead Airport. The plane was fully loaded with fuel and fire retardant. It was trying to get to the fire for one more load.
Reno fire spokesman Steve Frady said, "Information travels fast. It seems like everyone knew at once, just out of concern."
Huntsville city councilman Steve Johnson says neighbors were immediately at Wahlstrom's wife's side before she had to fly to Reno. He says Wahlstrom was the kind of neighbor everyone wanted to have.
Postings on the Web site for Neptune Aviation services say Wahlstrom flew tanker planes for years and was well-respected among fire crews.
Wahlstrom and two crew members were heading to fight a California wildfire when they crashed. The mission had apparently been canceled just before takeoff.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
