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 (KAVX) in California, resulting in the deaths of all five adults on board.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash, which occurred around 8 p.m., well after the airport's official 5 p.m. closing time.
The aircraft belonged to Ali Safai, a 73-year-old former flight instructor, who reportedly flew to the challenging "Airport in the Sky" to assist other stranded pilots.
The crash site was located in steep, rugged terrain, and the specific circumstances leading to the accident are currently unknown and under investigation.

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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.