Watsonville Mid-Air Collision Victims Identified

A Cessna 340A reportedly clipped the wing of the Cessna 152.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 12:48 PM ET

Verified

A Cessna 340A crashed into a hangar next to a runway at Watsonville Municipal Airport August 18, after a mid-air collision with a 152, according to authorities. [Courtesy: City of Watsonville]

Key Takeaways:

A mid-air collision between a twin-engine Cessna 340A and a Cessna 152 occurred on approach to Watsonville Municipal Airport on August 18, killing all three occupants and a dog.
The collision happened as the Cessna 152 was in the pattern and the Cessna 340A performed a straight-in entry, despite both pilots being in radio communication.
Investigators are focusing on the Cessna 340A's recorded approach speed of approximately 180 knots, which exceeded its normal flap and landing gear extension speeds, raising questions about its landing configuration.

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Officials have identified the victims of last week’s deadly mid-air collision between a twin-engine Cessna 340A and a Cessna 152 in Watsonville, California.

Carl Kruppa, 75, and Nannette Plett-Kruppa, 67, from Winton, California, and their dog were aboard the 340. Stuart Camenson, 32, from Santa Cruz was piloting the 152, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner. The aircraft collided while on approach to Runway 20 at Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) just before 3 p.m. on August 18. All occupants of the two aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene.