Shocking new details emerge in Catalina Island plane crash that killed five people
Devastating new details have been released following a plane crash that claimed the lives of five adults on Tuesday.
Devastating new details have been released following a plane crash that claimed the lives of five adults on Tuesday.
In a shocking development, the small engine plane that crashed on Catalina Island in Los Angeles was reportedly not cleared for takeoff by the islands airport.
The twin-engine Beechcraft 95 departed the airport with five passengers and later crashed just off the coast of LA County around 8 pm, leaving every person on board dead at the scene.
Four of the five victims identities have since been revealed as 73-year-old, Ali Reza Safai of West Hills, Haris Ali, 33, of Fullerton, Margaret Mary Fenner, 55, and famed artist manager Gonzalo Lubel, 34.
A Los Angeles County sheriffs investigator inspects the plane crash site on Catalina Island
Famed artist manager Gonzalo Lubel, 34, was identified as one of the victims of the devastating accident
The identification of the fifth victim, a man in his thirties, is pending following notification of the family.
Of the five people aboard the Tuesday evening flight, four were reported to be passengers and the other a flight staff, a preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed.
The report also indicated the accident happened during takeoff.
Flight records show that the plane took off around 5:45 pm that day and according to the National Weather Service there were no thick fog advisories at the time.
The Avalon Sheriff Station was notified of a 911 S.O.S. emergency from a cellular device around 8:08 pm on October 8 after the plane crashed.
Flight records revealed that the plane took off around 5:45 pm Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service there were no thick fog advisories at the time. Pictured: Catalina Airport runway
The report also indicated the accident happened during takeoff. Pictured: The flight path of the fatal October 8 flight
The cellular device used to call in the emergency stated the user’s cellphone has been involved in a collision with possible injuries and provided a location as G.P.S. coordinates, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said.
Avalon Station deputies, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Avalon Search and Rescue, and Avalon City Fire Department personnel all responded to the scene and found wreckage of the aircraft about one mile west of Catalina Island Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA have since taken over the investigation of the crash.
Part of the investigation will be to request radar data, weather information, maintenance records and the pilot’s medical records. NTSB investigators will look at the human, machine and environment as the outline of the investigation, a spokesperson with the NTSB, Jennifer Gabris said.
The agency said a probable cause of the crash will be released in one to two years.
The Avalon Sheriff Station was notified of a 911 S.O.S. emergency from a cellular device around 8:08 pm on October 8 after the plane crashed
Along with the wreckage, authorities also located the five victims who lost their lives in the crash, four of five have since been identified
Famed artist manager Gonzalo Lubel, 34, was identified as one of the victims of the devastating accident.
Lubels label, Red Light Management, announced the artist managers death in an Instagram post on October 8.
Tributes from artists and fellow executives are being shared in honor of Lubel, who is described by Red Light as a kind individual and a friend to all whom he encountered.
Lubel worked for the label since November 2021 and was based in the Los Angeles area.
