YCSO: 2 dead after a small plane crash near Camp Verde

CAMP VERDE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office says two people are dead after a small plane crashed near Camp Verde Saturday night.

The two have been identified as pilot Glenn Tenniswood, 68, and passenger Ron Walker, 78.

YCSO received a call around 6:30 pm. Saturday for an overdue small plane.

A family member told Sheriff officials they were trying to reach the pilot for several hours.

The pilot told family he was taking a friend out for a short flight before the incident happened.

Local aircraft towers had no record of the plane in the air.

YCSO says they obtained GPS coordinates for a cell phone belonging to one of the occupants on the plane.

A Department Of Public Safety helicopter crew located the plane around 8:30 p.m. in a very rugged terrain southeast of Montezuma Castle.

DPS Ranger Troopers were able set down and confirm the pilot and his passenger were deceased.

YCSO were finally able to access the site early Sunday morning.

At this time, The National Transportation Safety Board is on scene investigating the crash.

YCSO a backcountry team was called out to recover the bodies.

The FAA has identified the plane as an experimental "Air Camper" model.