Oro Valley pilot killed in Picacho Peak crash

TUCSON, Arizona (13 News) – Picacho Peak State Park was closed Saturday, June 8, after a civilian plane from Oro Valley collided with the mountain.

According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department, a hiker reported the plane crashing near the summit early in the morning.

James Galvin, 68, of Oro Valley, the pilot and sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead upon discovery.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the aircraft was a single-engine Rans S-12XL Airaile, a kit aircraft designed for home-built construction by hobbyist pilots.

Salvage operations are underway, and an NTSB investigator is expected to arrive Saturday evening to thoroughly examine and document the wreckage before it is moved to another location for further investigation.

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