Tragic Plane Crash in Simi Valley Claims Two Lives

Categories: California Breaking NewsCalifornia DisastersCalifornia News

Emergency services respond to the tragic plane crash in Simi Valley, assessing damage and ensuring safety.

News Summary

A small plane crash in Simi Valley resulted in the deaths of a pilot and his son on Saturday. The aircraft, a Vans RV-10, crashed shortly after taking off, impacting nearby homes and causing significant damage. Emergency responders quickly managed the situation, while investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. The Berkovitz family has expressed gratitude for the first responders and seeks privacy during this difficult time.

Simi Valley, California – A tragic small plane crash claimed the lives of a pilot and his son on Saturday afternoon. The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Paul Berkovitz from Westlake Village and his 36-year-old son, Matthew J. Berkovitz from Thousand Oaks. The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. local time on the 200 block of High Meadow Street in the Wood Ranch area.

The aircraft involved in the crash was a Vans RV-10, a single-engine fixed-wing plane that had taken off from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was headed toward Camarillo Airport. Paul Berkovitz was the sole occupant of the plane, which crashed shortly after departure, leaving both victims deceased at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries. Authorities have classified their deaths as accidental.

The crash also caused significant damage to two nearby homes, which caught fire upon impact. Thankfully, residents were inside at the time but were evacuated safely without any injuries. However, the incident has left two families displaced; one home has been designated as unsafe for habitation (red-tagged), while another has sustained moderate damage (yellow-tagged).

Approximately 40 firefighters from the Simi Valley Fire Department responded swiftly to the scene, working alongside the Simi Valley Police Department in extinguishing the flames and managing the wreckage. Smoke was visibly rising from the homes immediately after the crash, complicating rescue efforts. The fire crews successfully contained the fire, and salvage operations followed.

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator has been dispatched to the site to begin an investigation into the crash. The NTSB plans to document the wreckage and transfer it to a secure facility for comprehensive evaluation. The entire investigative process, which will involve collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), could take up to 18 months to determine the cause of the crash. A preliminary report from the FAA is expected within the next 30 days.

Witnesses reported that the plane circled the area multiple times before the crash, with some suggesting that it appeared to be flying erratically. The RV-10 model, which has been involved in previous accidents, is part of a larger category of amateur-built aircraft that raises safety concerns among aviation experts. There are about 30,000 amateur-built planes certified in the United States, with the RV-10 being one of the more popular choices among aviation enthusiasts.

In light of the tragic event, the Berkovitz family has expressed gratitude towards first responders while requesting privacy during this difficult time. Paul Berkovitz was remembered as an aviation enthusiast with a passion for animal rescue. He was particularly known for his involvement with the nonprofit organization Pilot N Paws, which flies shelter dogs to new homes, underscoring his deep commitment to animal welfare.

As investigators continue their work, the aviation community is paying close attention to the happenings surrounding this particular incident, prompting discussions about design and safety standards concerning experimental aircraft. Future regulatory considerations may emerge as a result of this unfortunate occurrence.