LOS ANGELES – The devastating plane crash on Catalina Island, which occurred on the evening of October 8, 2024, has claimed the lives of five individuals, sending shockwaves throughout the community. Among those confirmed dead are Gonzalo Lubel, 34; Harris Ali, 33; Ali Safai, 73; and Margaret Fenner, 55, as identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
The tragic incident took place shortly after the twin-engine Beechcraft 95 took off from the Catalina Airport, located near the island city of Avalon. Despite the plane appearing largely intact when first responders arrived, the crash was described as occurring in steep and rugged terrain about one mile west of the airport.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft had been en route after departing from Santa Monica Airport before it crashed shortly after taking off from Catalina.
Details surrounding the crash remain unclear, sparking concerns about the airport's unique operational challenges. The Catalina Airport, known as the "Airport in the Sky," sits at 1,602 feet above sea level and features only one runway stretching 3,000 feet. Weather conditions and the airport's location make it tricky for pilots, as pointed out by aviation expert Scott Reiff. "You approach... basically over a cliff, and when you come to the airport, as you start to descend, you can’t see the end. There’s a hump in the middle, so it’s deceiving exactly how long the runway is," he explained.
Compounding matters is the fact the aircraft involved was only certified to hold four people, yet five were aboard when it tragically went down. Investigators will determine if this overloading was contributory to the accident.
The livestream of emergency response efforts revealed the immediate impact of the crash. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported receiving a 911 SOS emergency notification from one of the passengers' cellular devices. This feature, known as crash detection, automatically alerts authorities upon detecting significant impact. "It gives coordinates to a location, so it’s not necessarily like a street name or landmark. Our deputies had to saturate the area and try to locate where this SOS notification was coming from," said Deputy Jacob Sivley.
After pinpointing the coordinates provided by the crash detection, rescuers were able to locate the wreckage and the victims’ remains.
The investigation is being conducted by several agencies, including the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with the additional assistance of the Sheriff's Department's Aero Bureau due to the challenging recovery operations necessitated by the crash's remote location.
Reports have emerged indicating the pilot may have been Ali Safai, who was attempting to assist two other pilots stranded on the island because of mechanical issues with their planes. Safai, who registered the aircraft, was identified as both the owner and possibly the pilot at the time of the crash. Friends describe him as "a wonderful human being and great father," highlighting the grave loss felt by those who knew him.
The airport’s operating hours are officially from 8 AM to 5 PM, but arrangements for late-night departures and arrivals can be made beforehand. According to Carl True, the airport’s general manager, Safai had prearranged for landing after hours but did not have clearance for takeoff. This lack of proper clearance is now one focal point of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the aviation community and local residents are mourning the tragic accident. The identities of the fifth occupant, described only as male and in his thirties, have yet to be released pending next of kin notifications. Recovery operations continue as the NTSB and FAA work together to understand the circumstances behind this heartbreaking incident.
The crash has reopened conversations about the safety of flights to and from Catalina, especially as more private pilots fly there for leisure. Several pilots and experts have weighed in on the airport’s unique set of challenges, underscoring the importance of pre-flight planning and strict adherence to regulations.
Until more information surfaces from the investigations, the community remains shaken. The impact of the crash is sure to linger, as friends, families, and colleagues begin the arduous process of coming to terms with the loss. The outpouring of grief and support for the victims is evident across social media channels and local news coverage.
