Investigation Underway Following Crash Near Catalina Airport

Twin-engine aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff killing all five on board.

Amelia Walsh

Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

Catalina Airport (KAVX) [AVweb file photo]

Key Takeaways:

A twin-engine Beechcraft 95-B55 crashed shortly after takeoff from Catalina Airport in California, killing all five adults onboard.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the "unknown circumstances" of the crash, which occurred around 8 p.m. in steep, rugged terrain near the challenging island airport.
The aircraft's owner, Ali Safai, a former flight instructor, was reportedly assisting two stranded pilots at Catalina Airport at the time of the incident.

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The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating a crash involving a twin-engine Beechcraft 95-B55 that occurred shortly after takeoff from Catalina Airport (KAVX) in California on Tuesday, killing all five on board.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, the bodies of five adults were discovered at the crash site, located in steep, rugged terrain approximately a mile west of the airport. Emergency crews were dispatched following a 911 call from a cellphone that indicated involvement in a collision, providing GPS coordinates for the location.