CLE ELUM — A glider that crashed at the Cle Elum Municipal Airport, killing the pilot, was involved in filming a commercial for General Motors at the time.
The Kittitas County sheriff’s office says the glider was being towed down the runway by a vehicle Thursday and was just starting to lift off when it crashed. A helicopter was filming the glider from above for the commercial.
The sheriff’s office identified the pilot as 53-year-old William Weller of Tukwila, the only person on board.
The FAA says the glider was registered to Northwest Eagles Soaring of Tukwila. Calls to the company were not answered Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
GM spokesman Patrick E. Morrissey in Detroit calls it a tragic accident and says the company is cooperating with investigators.
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