LA Businessman Carl Krielow ID’d As Pilot In Thursday TX Fatal Plane Crash

SABINE PASS, TX. (THECOUNT.COM) — Carl Krielow, a 71-year-old Louisiana pilot, well-known Southwest Louisiana businessman, and former commissioner of the Port of Lake Charles, was killed Thursday afternoon after a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza crashed into marshland north of Sea Rim State Park near Sabine Pass, Texas.

Authorities identified Krielow, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, as the sole occupant of the aircraft. Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr. said Krielow’s body was recovered Friday morning near Knight Lake, just north of State Highway 87.

Krielow was flying a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza based in Jennings, Louisiana. According to ADS-B flight tracking data, the aircraft departed Jennings at approximately 1:52 p.m. CST and was en route to Galveston Scholes International Airport.

Tracking data shows the aircraft maintained an altitude of about 6,000 feet after departure before experiencing a rapid increase in speed and a sharp loss of altitude between Salt Lake and Knight Lake shortly before the crash.

The crash occurred in a remote marshland area north of Sea Rim State Park in Jefferson County near the Texas–Louisiana border. Officials said the rugged terrain and limited access delayed recovery efforts.

Agencies assisting in the search and recovery included the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Port Arthur Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Donta Miller said the Coast Guard ultimately located the wreckage and provided coordinates that allowed responders to reach the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed Friday that it is investigating the crash. No cause has been released, and no additional details regarding weather or mechanical factors have been disclosed.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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