I’m saddened to announce that initial reports from a plane crash this morning in Palo Alto California state that several top engineers from Tesla Motors have been killed in a plane crash that took out power throughout the city.
Considering the leadership role that Tesla has taken in moving the electric vehicle movement forward this is a sad day for us here at EV Authority and we’ll post more information as it becomes available.
The plane was owned by Doug Bourn and crashed due to fog en rout to Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles County. The plane crashed at 7:49am and took out power transmission lines roughly 400 feet above the ground as it was taking off from Palo Alto airport in heavy fog.
I live near Palo Alto and know members of the company, I am saddened at the loss but inspired by the great work these men did and the positive recognition they are getting for what was accomplished during their time here with us.
Tesla Motors: “Three Tesla employees were on board a plane that crashed in East Palo Alto early this morning. We are withholding their identities as we work with the relevant authorities to notify the families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Tesla is a small, tightly-knit company, and this is a tragic day for us.”
KTVU.com: “The plane hit transmission lines that are draped 377 feet above the ground near the Dumbarton Bridge.”
