Carl J. Krielow, a 71-year-old Louisiana pilot and respected Southwest Louisiana businessman, died Thursday when the small plane he was flying crashed into remote marshland just north of Sea Rim State Park near Sabine Pass, Texas. The grisly discovery of his body came Friday morning after rescue crews worked through difficult terrain in a desperate search for the missing pilot.
Krielow, the only person aboard the 1993 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, left from Thibodaux, Louisiana Thursday morning and made a brief stop at the Jennings Airport before taking off again at about 1:52 p.m. CST, bound for Galveston Scholes International Airport. Flight tracking data shows that the plane climbed to about 6,000 feet and headed southeast before it suddenly lost altitude and vanished from radar around 3 p.m. near salt and Knight lakes south of Sabine Pass.
Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to the crash late Thursday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Port Arthur Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard joined an increasingly urgent effort to locate the wreckage and trace Krielow’s final moments. Recovery efforts stretched into the night against marshy, rugged ground that slowed responders and forced them to suspend operations until daylight.
Just before 9:30 a.m. Friday, search teams finally found Krielow’s body near Knight Lake, not far from State Highway 87, Jefferson County officials said. Sheriff’s Office Chief Donta Miller credited the Coast Guard with locating the crash site’s coordinates, which made it possible for ground crews to reach the remote area.
Krielow was well known around Southwest Louisiana, not just as a pilot but also as a longtime entrepreneur. He owned KAS Properties, a construction and real estate company in Jennings, and had a more than 35-year career spanning construction, agriculture, and commercial real estate. He also served on the Port of Lake Charles Board of Commissioners and was active in agricultural associations across the region.
Friends, family, and colleagues expressed deep sadness at his passing. A statement from the Port of Lake Charles described Krielow as a dedicated leader whose work helped the port break cargo records, rebound from hurricane damage, and remain among the nation’s top-ranked ports. Tributes also noted his community involvement and his warm presence at local events and fundraisers.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are jointly investigating the crash. Officials say it is too early to know what caused the plane to lose altitude so suddenly, and investigators will examine flight records, aircraft maintenance logs, weather conditions, and communications from the flight. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks, with a final determination likely months away.
