[SandRat]

It was reported to be a Cessna 500.

[billorites]

Five people were killed in a crash of a Rockwell Commander operated by the same firm, Ponderosa Aviation, in November of 2011. I recall reading the accident reports shortly thereafter.

An Aero Commander would be a logical aircraft to support Interior Dept. activities on the ground. Neither a C-150 or Citation would really fit that role. Usually the press reports any small, non-transport category aircraft as a "Piper Cub."