CALIFORNIAN ARRAIGNED IN DEATH OF PILOTS

UKIAH, Calif., Aug. 29 — A man accused of starting a fire that led to the
deaths of two air tanker pilots was arraigned today on murder charges, and
prosecutors said he he was operating a drug laboratory that might have been
part of a ring involving the Hells Angels motorcycle gang.

The man, Frank Brady, 50, was arraigned on two counts of murder, one count
of manufacturing drugs and one count of causing the 270-acre brush fire
that the pilots were fighting in Mendocino County when their planes
collided on Monday evening.

District Attorney Norm Vroman said Mr. Brady told the authorities that he
started the fire and that he was a member of Hells Angels. Fire
investigators said they found a methampethamine laboratory near the fire
pit where they believe the blaze began.

"He says he was there," Mr. Vroman said. "He says he started the fire."

The authorities said it was unclear, though, whether the fire began during
the manufacture of drugs.

Mr. Brady's lawyer, Richard Petersen, said prosecutors went too far in
holding Mr. Brady responsible for the deaths of the two pilots.

"It's a stretch to make it murder," Mr. Petersen said.

Prosecutors said they were investigating a possible connection to a broader
drug ring, perhaps involving the Hells Angels.

A plane piloted by Larry Groff, 55, was approaching the blaze, ready to
drop 800 gallons of fire retardant, when it collided with a plane flown by
Lars Stratte, 45, which was circling the blaze also to release retardant.