Free Consultations 24/7
Home > Blog > Plane Crash in ...
July 8, 2011
A single-engine plane crashed in Watsonville, California, on Thursday night, killing both people on board.
The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m., moments after take-off from Watsonville Airport. The 1974 Mooney M20 went down in a parking lot near Watsonville Community Hospital and skidded 50 to 75 yards into the front of an unoccupied office building that belonged to the hospital. The plane then reportedly exploded and became engulfed in flames.
Witness Thomas Arnold, who was in the parking lot just before the crash, told the Seattle Post Intelligencer that the plane slanted down just 15 feet above his head.
“I saw two faces and two big sets of eyes,” said Arnold of the plane’s occupants.
Another witness, George Benson, told the McClatchy-Tribune News Service that he saw the plane take off and try to climb above a line of fog.
"[The pilot] was heading toward the coast and tried to climb," said Benson, who is a pilot. "From the time he took off he was going too steep, too slow. He spun to the left and you can see where the impact was.”
Benson refers to a chunk of asphalt missing from the parking lot. The plane reportedly slammed into the parking lot, which sent the propeller flying and ripped part of the wing off.
“[The pilot] didn't have any time for recovery," said Benson.
The cause of the crash is not yet known. It is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
No one on the ground was hurt.
This was the second fatal plane crash in California this week. On Sunday, a Cessna C180 crashed in Ventura County, killing two.
Read more.
What do you think caused this California aviation accident?
If you or someone you know has had their safety compromised on a commercial or private aircraft, contact the national aviation lawyers at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy.
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
Apr
18, 2024
Injuries caused by auto accidents are painful, expensive, and can even be life-altering. When victims survive car accidents, they want to believe that the worst is over. But for some, the medical and financial consequences are just beginning. Shock is not just a term for being surprised or upset. It is an actual medical condition […]
15, 2024
The widespread availability of fast internet access and camera-equipped laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones mean that telemedicine and virtual doctor appointments are more convenient, personal, and effective than ever before. These types of visits became more and more common during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for many patients, they have continued to be […]
08, 2024
One of the most important aspects of being a doctor is accurately diagnosing patients with the diseases or illnesses they suffer from. Accurately diagnosing patients gives doctors a chance to come up with treatment plans to manage their patients’ symptoms and help them get better, including prescribing medications, recommending surgery, and creating lifestyle modifications. However, […]
01, 2024
When a bad outcome happens in medicine, whether it’s after a doctor prescribes a prescription drug or a surgeon completes an operation, it’s common for patients to wonder if they’re victims of medical malpractice. However, proving medical malpractice is notoriously difficult. That’s why many Ohio medical malpractice lawyers rely on the testimony of expert witnesses. […]
Mar
25, 2024
Even when maintained, set up, and operated safely, semi-trucks still pose risks to both their drivers and other drivers on Ohio’s roads. That’s because they outweigh the average passenger vehicle 20:1. Unfortunately, semi-trucks aren’t always hooked up properly or safely, and when they aren’t, devastating accidents can occur. One of the most dangerous events that […]
Accessibility Tools
