JACUMBA (CNS) - Two men killed Saturday in a glider crash near the county-owned airport at 45696 Old Highway 80, one mile east of Jacumba, were identified Sunday by the Medical Examiner.
Killed in the crash were Richard Riley Noble, 63, of La Jolla and Martin Gary Rothwell, 54, of San Diego.
The Medical Examiner said both men went to Jacumba Airport to fly a glider. Their glider was towed and the towline was released at about 100 feet, according to the Medical Examiner.
For unknown reasons, the glider went out of control, rapidly decelerated and struck the ground, according to the Medical Examiner.
Witnesses called 911. Responding medical personnel confirmed the death of the two men whom they said died due to obvious fatal trauma.
An autopsy has not yet been performed.
The Federal Aviation Administration was continuing an investigation into the glider crash.
THIS IS A STORY UPDATE. AN EARLIER STORY IS BELOW.
JACUMBA (CBS 8) - Two people are dead after a glider goes down in a rural part of the East County. The crash happened Saturday afternoon at a spot popular for flying motorless aircraft.
Witnesses say around 12:30 p.m. the glider took a nose-dive and crashed near the Jacumba Airport, along Old Highway 80.
The Associated Glider Club of Southern California tells News 8, Martin Rothwell is one of the victims who died in the glider crash Saturday.
Rothwell's family is expressing their deep sorrow through Facebook.
Sassie Irvine writes, "So very sad right now...mom and I got a call about an hour ago that my oldest brother Marty was killed Saturday in a glider accident. I am at a loss of what to do right now with myself or my thoughts. I'm so lost."
Meantime, one club member is hearing the tragic crash was troubled from takeoff.
"It's tragic when you lose people like that," said Rolf Schulze.
Two people never made it out of this glider plane that crashed into the Jacumba Airport.
The two person plane registered to the Associated Glider Club of Southern California had trouble with take off according to witnesses who spoke to Schulze.
"It was very hot even in San Diego."
And triple digits in Jacumba which apparently affected the pilot 300 feet in the air.
"The lift of the wings is somewhat diminished okay so you have to fly faster in order to maintain efficiency."
The pilot is believed to have at least two years experience but tragically lost control of the two-year-old plane. It nose dived into the airport - killing both people on board.
"The pilot put the nose down somewhat but perhaps not enough to regain flying speed."
Schulze says at least one of the victims is a club member and the other was not.
The two-seater was primarily used for lessons but Saturday's deadly crash has grounded the entire glider club that can only mourn and pray for everyone affected.
"I feel very badly for the families involved they really lost some valuable people," said Schulze.
Rothwell was the elected president of the glider club. This is the second fatal crash that club members say has hit their organization.