An investigation was opened on Friday after the fatal crash of a small plane on the beach in Santa Monica, where many tourists come every year to admire the end of the famous Route 66, at the gates of Los Angeles.
Images of the accident, which occurred late Thursday afternoon, quickly made social media tour.
The victim was a former mayor of the city.
A video of the accident shows the device flying dangerously low near the famous pier that overlooks the beach with its amusement park, before crashing a few dozen meters away and spinning violently on the sand, under the incredulous gaze of passers-by.
A former Santa Monica mayor, Rex Minter, was killed in the crash, authorities said. The nonagenarian was the only passenger aboard this small Cessna 150.
An investigation was opened and the authorities did not provide information on the condition of the pilot of the plane.
engine problems
He “reported engine trouble after leaving the Santa Monica airport,” according to a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. On the beach, witnesses to the accident struggled to realize what was happening.
“My friend saw a plane that was flying really low and he was really taken aback,” Josh Feenberg told local channel ABC 7. “We thought it was going to land softly, but it hit the water and flipped… It was pretty scary.”
Santa Monica beach is a very popular place in the Los Angeles area, whether it is for international or local tourists. Its famous wooden pier sees nine million visitors each year, according to its theme park website.
Source: BFM TV
