Couple killed in Petaluma plane crash fondly remembered in aviation circles

Richard Bristow, left, assists Adam Zimmerman’s 11-year-old son in working on his aircraft. Bristow and his wife, Sue, were identified by aviation enthusiasts as the two people killed in a plane crash that occurred Sunday afternoon in Petaluma. less Richard Bristow, left, assists Adam Zimmerman’s 11-year-old son in working on his aircraft. Bristow and his wife, Sue, were identified by aviation enthusiasts as the two people killed in a plane crash that ... more Photo: Courtesy Of Adam Zimmerman / Photo: Courtesy Of Adam Zimmerman / Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Couple killed in Petaluma plane crash fondly remembered in aviation circles 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Two people killed in a weekend plane crash near Petaluma Municipal Airport were identified as a married couple from Carmichael (Sacramento County), according to fellow aviation enthusiasts.

Richard and Sue Bristow, both 67, were killed Sunday afternoon after their RV-6 single-engine plane crashed a little more than half a mile east of the airport.

Adam Zimmerman, 43, said he met Richard Bristow about a month ago, when his 11-year-old son participated in a Young Eagles event, which connects children with pilots who donate their aircraft and time to do an orientation flight.

Richard Bristow “was the nicest, warmest guy anyone could hope to meet,” Zimmerman said, adding that the pilot was engaging and encouraging of his young son during his first flight.

“The impact he had on my son and I won’t be forgotten,” Zimmerman said. “We joined their (Experimental Aircraft Association) chapter in large part because of him.”

The cause of Sunday’s crash has not yet been determined and could take months, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

The NorCal Flight Center, an aviation school in Lincoln (Placer County) where Richard Bristow spent time flying, posted a statement on Facebook about the couple.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of our friend Richard Bristow and his wife. Unfortunately, their RV-6 lost power as they departed Petaluma. He was a huge contributor here at the airport, and he and his wife will be missed greatly,” the post said.

Officials for the aviation school and family members did not respond to a call for comment.

The crash occurred on East Washington Street near Old Adobe Road, about 1,000 yards east of the airport, said Allen Kenitzer, an FAA spokesman.

The RV-6 is a two-seater plane built from a kit by Van’s Aircraft. The aircraft was first introduced in 1986 and has a top speed of about 200 mph.

Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines pilot and CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, an aviation consulting firm, said the RV-6 is “a high-performance airplane capable of aerobatics.”

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani