MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN PILOTS' DEATHS

HOPLAND, Calif. (AP) -- A man was charged with murder Tuesday in the deaths
of two pilots whose firefighting planes collided over a blaze that may have
broken out at an illegal drug lab in the woods.

Frank Brady, 50, of Redwood Valley was being held without bail after
Mendocino County prosecutor Norm Vroman filed the charges. A second man,
Richard Mortensen, 43, of San Pablo was arrested on outstanding warrants
for drug and weapons charges. Vroman said he may also be charged in the deaths.

Evidence of a methamphetamine production lab was discovered near the site
where the fire began, Vroman said. Investigators spent Tuesday trying to
link the two men to illegal activity which may have started the fire. The
two planes collided Monday evening near Hopland, about 100 miles north of
San Francisco, while dumping fire retardant on the 250-acre wildfire.
Killed were retired Navy veteran Larry Groff, 55, and Lars Stratte, 45.