Aviation Accident - Santa Catalina Island
October 3, 2010 - Authorities say a 1956 Cessna 310 twin-engine plane crashed today at about 3:40 p.m. on Santa Catalina Island. Earlier in the day, the plane took off from Santa Ana (Orange County) and landed without incident at Airport in the Sky on Catalina Island. A 50-year-old male and a 48-year-old female then boarded the plane. The 54-year-old pilot took off with the two passengers on board and began to climb when the left engine failed. The plane started to dive and crashed into a gulley about one-half mile southeast of the airport. All three individuals in the plane were transported via air ambulance to mainland hospitals. According to a Los Angeles County Sheriff Captain they were all alert and oriented and listed in stable condition. Two of the three persons on board sustained serious burns. The plane crash started a three-acre grass fire which was contained by county firefighters after a short time. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated the 1956 Cessna is owned by an Arroyo Grande, California construction company. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the plane crash. Santa Catalina Island is about 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. It is a popular tourist and vacation destination. Tourists and vacationers must be brought to the island by aircraft or watercraft. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or a wrongful death as a result of an aviation accident, you might want to discuss your case with a trusted Sonoma County Personal Injury attorney. Plane crashes can be caused by a variety of factors including defective design or manufacturing (products liability), negligent maintenance or repair, pilot error or air traffic control negligence. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you determine which causes of action you should pursue in your claim for injuries and damages. Please call us for a free consultation.