Both Victims Identified in Fatal Lake Tahoe Plane Crash |

Both victims have been identified in the fatal plane crash southwest of Lake Tahoe Airport on July 7th.

Zip Upham, a spokesperson with the Naval Air Station Fallon, NV says one of the pilot in the crash was 53-year-old Christopher Joas. He adds Joas was the Senior Flight Surgeon working at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC).

Joas served in Iraq and was part of a rescue team that helped save an injured rock climber who was stranded in the Sierra a year ago.

The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office says the passenger on the plane was 51-year-old Margaret McGuire.

Upham says the two were a couple but not married.

The FAA said the single-engine Cessna 172 airplane crashed in a field two miles southwest of the airport near Meyers just before 3:30 p.m. on July 7th.

Officials with El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said when deputies arrived, one person was found dead and the other was taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

Joas died on scene while McGuire died at the hospital. McGuire's apartment complex made a chalk art piece in her honor. They add she leaves behind three sons.

The small plane was found upside down in a wooded area.

The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.