The Placer County Sheriffa s office confirmed yesterday they are participating in the investigation of the private Plane crash at the Auburn Airport last Saturday that claimed the life of Auburn Mayor Dr. William Kirby. This task, typically done by the National Transportation Safety Agency will participate by technology rather than in person. Police officials told KAHI that when the NCSB was notified on Saturday from the crash site, they informed the local agencies there would not participate personally in the investigation at that time. A Kirbya s plane was taking off on runway 25 with a flight instructor when there was an emergency and the plane made a steep turn to the right and crashed on Placer County Water District land near Dry Creek Road and Parkway Drive in North Auburn. Nearby residents, living in the area that was a focus of the 49 fire a few years ago when 60 homes were burned during a wildfire said they heard the engine on the airplane sputter before it crashed in the open field, catching fire and hitting a group of trees. Aircraft taking off on this runway at Auburn Municipal typically make a left turn on departure which is the published pattern on FAA charts.A The instructor whose identity is being held, suffered minor injuries. He has been interviewed by the Sheriffs and Auburn Police working on the investigation and will be again as the investigation continues, according to the Placer County Sheriffa s office. The aircraft Dr. Kirby was piloting was purchased a few weeks ago by Kirby and was a popular model made by Cessna, known in the industry as a a 206a and a Sky Wagona , and could hold 5 passengers and luggage, plus a pilot. Auburn Police officials informed KAHI that the initial investigation satisfied the investigators and officials thatA no foul play was involved with this accident.