With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos, Video: No Survivors After Small Jet Crashes Into Hangar At Santa Monica Airport [UPDATED]
The fiery crash of a jet into a hangar at Santa Monica Airport Sunday night was declared "unsurvivable" by officials.
The small jet, which took off from Hailey, Idaho, crashed into a storage hangar at the airport; the flames were so intense it caused the roof of the building to collapse, the Associated Press reports.
Firefighters hadn't yet determined how many people were on board but Santa Monica Fire Department Capt. John Nevandro told the press at a media briefing, "This was an unsurvivable crash."
The Fire Department dispatched six fire engines, spokeswoman Bridgett Lewis said. Although four ambulances were also sent, there was no survivors taken to the hospital, according to the LA Times.
Support for LAist comes from
Huge, black clouds of smoke were visible for some distance from the airport as firefighters worked for hours to put out the flames. "It was a total loss," Lewis said of the hangar. Two neighboring buildings also suffered minor damage.
The plane, a twin-engine Cessna Citation 525A, ran off the runway at about 6:20 p.m. and struck the hangar, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told media outlets.
The jet is registered to a Malibu address and its corporate owner, Creative Real Estate Exchange, is based in Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, according to FAA public records.
The plane had made four recent trips to Hailey airport, which serves Idaho's Sun Valley resort area, the Times reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Support for LAist comes from
There was a crash of a small plane near Santa Monica airport. Latest soon from @lanow . PHOTO by @JackBonner12 pic.twitter.com/Pk03QZuGtK
— L.A. Times: L.A. Now (@LANow) September 30, 2013
#BREAKING Officials say there are no survivors in Santa Monica Airport plane crash. No word of how many people were on board.
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) September 30, 2013
UPDATE, 12:14 P.M., The victims of the crash have been tentatively identified as Mark Benjamin, and his son, Luke Benjamin of Morley Builders. Mark Benjamin was the president of the Santa Monica-based construction company and he and his son apparently were aboard the private jet that crashed at Santa Monica Airport Sunday evening.
According to a statement on the company's web site, company vice president Charles Muttillo said: "We are aware of a plane crash at Santa Monica Airport last night. While we do not have specific facts, we believe that our president and CEO, Mark Benjamin, and his son, Luke Benjamin, a senior project engineer with us, were on board. We are unable to issue a further statement at this time.'' (The site was down when we tried to access it.)
The final count of passengers and identification cannot be made until until the rubble on the aircraft is removed, authorities told City News Service.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist