Memorial Funds Established for Families of Solar Workers Who Died in Fiery Desert Plane Crash, NTSB Releases Preliminary Report

Memorial funds have been established to support the families of Mike Cyr and Jeff Randall, who died Aug. 26 in a fiery plane crash near the Desert Sunlight Solar Project in Desert Center, First Solar representatives announced Saturday.

Both men were engineers on the Desert Sunlight Solar Project, the chief executive officer for First Solar said. Cyr, 41, of Blythe, was the pilot, and Randall, 35, of Blythe, was his passenger, according to the coroner.


The registered owner of the crashed plane, a 1971 model Grumman AA-1A Yankee, was identified in FAA records as Michael C. Cyr of Blythe.

According to a preliminary investigation report released Sept. 9 by the National Transportation Safety Board, Cyr and Randall were on an aerial photography flight that originated in Blythe.

"On August 26, 2013, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, an American Aviation AA-1A, N61VT, collided with terrain near Desert Center, California," the NTSB report states.

"The commercial pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces and a post-crash fire," the NTSB report states.

"Witnesses observed the airplane maneuvering in a left turn and reported that the  nose went down and then up," the NTSB report states. "The angle of bank got steep, and the nose went straight down toward the ground.

"On site examination of the wreckage found that the airplane came to rest upright," the NTSB report states. "The cabin section was consumed by fire. Control continuity was established for the elevator and rudder. Debris prevented examination of the aileron system.

"The wreckage was recovered for further examination at a secure location."

The report is based on preliminary information that is subject to change and may contain errors, according to the NTSB.

Weather in the Coachella Valley on Aug. 26 was nothing like the two days previous, when monsoonal thunderstorms and remnants of Tropical Storm Ivo unleashed widespread flash flooding across the region.

On Aug. 24, a microburst in the Lake Tamarisk area downed more than 50 power poles as well as powerlines on Kaiser Road, according to Cal Fire-Riverside County. About 20 First Solar facility employees sheltered in place at the solar plant until roadways were cleared to safely remove them from the area. No injuries were reported.

The funds for survivors of Cyr and Randall will be administered by banks in Blythe and Palm Desert, according to First Solar representatives.

Here's info verbatim from their announcement distributed Saturday Sept. 14:

The Spencer Cyr Scholarship Fund, in support of Valerie Cyr and her eight-year-old son, Spencer, will be administered by RaboBank – Blythe. Contributions to this fund may be made in cash or check at RaboBank Blythe or any other RaboBank branch. Contributions by check may also be mailed to RaboBank Blythe149 E Hobsonway, Blythe, CA 92225, attention “Spencer Cyr Scholarship Fund.” Electronic transfers to the account may be made using Routing Number 122238420, Account Number 423085622.

The Randall Family Fund, in support of Jennifer Randall and her daughters Camryn, 6 and Makenzie, 9, will be administered by First Bank – Palm Desert. Contributions to this fund may be made in cash or check at First Bank Palm Desert or any other First Bank California location.  Contributions by check may also be mailed to First Bank, 73000 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Checks should be made out to “Jennifer Randall” with “Jeff Randall Memorial Fund” noted in the memo line. Electronic transfers to the fund may be made using Routing Number 107005047, Account Number 462-122-0084.

Project developer First Solar will make initial corporate contributions to establish each fund, First Solar representatives said. Individuals can contribute directly to the funds, which are set up to accept contributions through Dec. 6, 2013.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Jeff Randall is scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday Sept. 23 at the Colorado River Fairground, 591 Olive Lake Blvd., Blythe.