A small plane crashed on the beach in Santa Monica, California, on Friday. One person died in the accident.
An investigation was underway Friday after the fatal crash of a small plane on the beach in Santa Monica, where many tourists flock each year to admire the end of the famous Route 66, at the gates of Los Angeles.
The images of the accident, which took place late Thursday afternoon, quickly made social media tour.
The victim was a former mayor of the city
A video of the crash shows the device flying dangerously low near the famous pier which overlooks the beach with its amusement park, before crashing a few tens of meters further and turning violently on the sand, under the gaze incredulous passers-by.
A former Santa Monica mayor, Rex Minter, died in the crash, authorities said. The nonagenarian was the only passenger on board this small Cessna 150.
An investigation was opened and the authorities did not give information concerning the condition of the pilot of the plane.
Engine problems
He “reported engine problems after leaving the Santa Monica airport,” according to a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. On the beach, witnesses to the crash struggled to realize what was happening.
“My friend saw a plane flying really low and was really puzzled,” Josh Feenberg told local ABC 7. “We thought it was going to land softly but it hit the water and flipped over. . It was pretty scary.”
Santa Monica Beach is a very popular place in the Los Angeles area, whether for international tourists or locals. Its famous wooden pier welcomes nine million visitors every year, according to its theme park website.
