AVALON, CA – Tragedy struck when a small aircraft, a twin-engine Beechcraft 95, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of five lives. The aircraft, which departed without clearance, went down about a mile from the Catalina Airport near Avalon on Tuesday evening.
Emergency services were alerted after an SOS signal was sent from one of the plane’s occupants, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The victims, including the aircraft’s owner, 73-year-old flight instructor Ali Reza Safai, were discovered deceased at the crash site. The roles of the plane’s occupants have yet to be clarified.
Initial investigations have pointed to procedural violations as the aircraft took off without permission, despite having arranged for its arrival after the airport’s stated operational hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The airport’s general manager, Carl True, emphasized that while pilots can manage arrivals post-hours if pre-arranged, a takeoff permit must also be secured, which was reportedly not adhered to. The airport does not permit flights past sunset because it lacks the lighting necessary for night operations.
Although this breach was not classified as illegal, the lack of clearance is now a focal point in the ongoing investigation. In addition to Safai, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office identified Haris Ali, 33, and Margaret Mary Fenner, 55, as victims. The identities of two men, both in their 30s, remain pending notification of their families.
Photographs shared by the Sheriff’s Office depicted the mangled wreckage resting on a hillside, with the tail of the plane notably separated from the fuselage. Responders on the scene faced challenges in locating the crash site, which was obscured from view from nearby roads, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Grayson Kline reported.
Safai, a former flight instructor who led Santa Monica Aviation until 2018, was highly regarded for his selflessness. Proteus Flight School acknowledged his goodwill, noting that Safai had volunteered to aid Proteus members stranded on Catalina Island after mechanical issues grounded their aircraft.