Tragic Small Plane Crash in Simi Valley Claims Two Lives

Categories: California Breaking NewsCalifornia News

The aftermath of the small plane crash in Simi Valley, showing smoke and property damage.

News Summary

A small plane crash in Simi Valley, California, resulted in the deaths of pilot Paul Berkovitz and his son Matthew. The Vans RV-10 aircraft crashed and caused significant property damage, leading to an ongoing investigation by the NTSB into the circumstances of the accident.

Simi Valley, California – A tragic small plane crash occurred on Saturday afternoon in Simi Valley, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and his son. 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 crash took place 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 incident was a Vans RV-10, a single-engine fixed-wing plane that had taken off from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster, heading toward Camarillo Airport. Paul Berkovitz was the sole occupant of the aircraft, and both he and his son died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries, with authorities ruling their deaths as accidental.

The crash had significant repercussions, damaging two homes that were set ablaze upon impact. Fortunately, residents were present in both homes at the time of the incident and were safely evacuated with no reported injuries. However, the structural damage resulted in two families being displaced; one home was red-tagged, indicating it is unsafe for occupancy, while the other was yellow-tagged, indicating limited access is allowed.

Approximately 40 firefighters rushed to the scene, as the incident was coordinated with the Simi Valley Police Department. Smoke billowed from the homes immediately following the crash, prompting crews to work diligently to extinguish the fire and conduct salvage operations.

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator has been dispatched to the site to commence an inquiry into the crash. The investigation aims to document the wreckage, which will subsequently be taken to a secure facility for further analysis. The entire investigatory process could take up to 18 months, with the NTSB collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine the cause of the crash. A preliminary report from the FAA is expected within the next 30 days.

Preliminary observations noted that the aircraft appeared to circle the area multiple times before the crash, with witnesses mentioning it seemed to fly erratically. The RV-10 model, while popular among aviation enthusiasts, has previously been involved in accidents, raising concerns about the safety of amateur-built aircraft. There are approximately 30,000 amateur-built planes certified in the United States, making the RV-10 one of the most commonly used models.

In light of this incident, an investigation is underway to evaluate the design and safety standards for experimental aircraft. Authorities will be assessing whether specific factors contributed to the crash and if any regulatory changes are necessary.

The Berkovitz family expressed gratitude towards first responders involved in the rescue operation and requested privacy as they navigate their profound loss. Paul Berkovitz was known not just as an aviation enthusiast but also as a passionate advocate for animal rescue. He frequently engaged in flying dogs from shelters to new homes through his involvement with a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare.

This crash marks an unfortunate incident that highlights concerns surrounding aviation safety, particularly within the realm of amateur-built aircraft, as the investigations continue to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of life.