Tag: Plane Crash

SHERMAN OAKS—On November 14, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that a plane crash near the Sepulveda Dam. At 7:08 a.m., the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to reports of a downed plane in the 15000 block of W Burbank Blvd in Sherman Oaks.

Firefighters located a small, older Cessna plane, upside down, in a dirt area near the Sepulveda Dam. The field, directly adjacent to the 405 Freeway, was charred from a previous grass fire but there was no fire from the plane crash. Two occupants, an adult male and female, had already safely exited the aircraft prior to LAFD arrival.

After being assessed by LAFD firefighter/paramedics, both patients, suffering only minor injuries, declined transport to the hospital. The incident was transitioned to the team of agencies which will handle the crash investigation, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB).

Unrelated to the incident but located only a short distance away, a large rubbish fire next to the 405 Freeway put off a dark smoke plume. Firefighters worked from both the freeway and the street level to knock down the fire with no damage to structures and no injuries reported.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The identity of the pilot killed in a red and white Twin-engine Cessna T310R that was scheduled to land in Santa Monica and crashed in Santa Fe, New Mexico has been released on Wednesday, July 19.

Randolph Sherman, 72, was the pilot of the aircraft that crashed into a residence near El Sol Court and the I-25 frontage road in Santa Fe. Sherman was a renowned plastic surgeon and professor at the University of Southern California. He was headed to his home in Santa Monica according to flight data and owned the aircraft.

Angel Flight West which is an organization that provides free flights to people in need of medical services wrote on Facebook shortly after Sherman was pronounced dead.

“Angel Flight West is honored to carry on Dr. Sherman’s legacy of aviation and health care, bridging the gap between home and health for the patients and families who need us,” the organization’s statement read.

Sherman left the Santa Fe Regional Airport at approximately 9:03 a.m. By 9:05 a.m. he called to report “left engine failure.” Police state that they do not believe anyone else was on board at the time of the crash.

Air Traffic Control revealed details of the pilot’s final moments before the accident occurred:

Sherman: “5-1-Charilie’s got an engine failure.”

Tower: “Say again.”

Sherman: “5-1-Charlie’s got an engine failure.”

Tower: “5-1-Charlie, Roger. You can make a left turn to runway 33.”

Sherman: “Roger, 5-1-Charlie.”

Tower: “5-1-Charlie, you’re clear to land on any runway you want. Winds are calm.”

Sherman: “5-1-Charlie, let me get some altitude.”

Tower: “5-1-Charlie, that would be one engine?”

Sherman: “One engine.”

Tower: “Roger.”

Tower: “5-1-Charlie, Runway 33 is just off your left side, that might be the closest one for you. 2 is a little bit further to the north, but your choice.”

Tower: “Crash Rescue 1. Appears the aircraft is down, but well off the field – about two miles off the approach end. I can’t tell exactly where it is, but there is a large plume of smoke.”

Moments after he made his report, he crashed into the home which caused a fire. Within 10 minutes fire officials arrived on the scene to contain the flames. Hot spots did remain after the flames were contained. There was no one in the building at the time of the accident.

Investigators are still gathering information to see if there is a homeowner for the residence.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are conducting an investigation into the accident.

By Christianne

BEL AIR—One person was killed after a plane crashed on Saturday, April 29. Emergency services were contacted at 8.10 p.m.  after air traffic control lost contact with the pilot near Stone Canyon Road and Mulholland Drive.  The aircraft was flying over Sherman Oaks at the time. Officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department noted that the plane was believed to be flying between Santa Monica Airport and Van Nuys Airport when signal was lost.

The plane is a single engine Cessna 172. Helicopters were deployed to search the area until they were grounded at 10.20 p.m. due to foggy conditions.

“LAFD helicopters and ground crews searched the large fog shrouded region for nearly an hour before an LAFD helicopter localized a signal from an aircraft Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesman Brian Humphrey.

A signal was picked up in the Beverly Glen Terrace and Beverly Glen Boulevard area, but the exact location remained unknown. The pilots cell phone carrier was contacted by officials to help locate the plane.

Emergency crews located the airplane on a steep hillside above a home in the 3000 block of Beverly Glen Circle shortly after 11 p.m. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.

“LAFD responders have discovered one person deceased at the scene,” said Humphrey. “Though no other persons were believed aboard, a search of the immediate area will be conducted to confirm no other victims.”

The name and age of the victim has not been released to the public.

By Rob