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 August 18 near Watsonville Municipal Airport, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants: Carl and Nannette Plett-Kruppa (in the 340A) and Stuart Camenson (in the 152).
The collision happened while both aircraft were on approach to the same runway, with the 340A making a straight-in entry while the 152 was in the pattern, despite pilots being in radio communication. The 152 pilot attempted a go-around as the 340A approached rapidly.
Authorities are primarily investigating the speed of the Cessna 340A, which was recorded approaching at approximately 180 knots—well above normal flap and landing gear extension speeds—raising questions about its readiness for landing.

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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.