April 30, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Morley Builders CEO Mark Benjamin Believed To Be In Fatal Santa Monica Airport Crash:

Morley Builders CEO & President Mark John Benjamin, 63, and his son Luke Benjamin are believed to be two of the people on board the fatal plane crash at Santa Monica Airport on Sunday night.

Employees at the Morley Builders head office in Santa Monica were told of the news Monday morning. Morley Builders is one of the largest Southern California-based general contractors headquartered at 3330 Ocean Park Boulevard with offices in Irvine and San Diego.

It is unclear whether other people were on the plane or whether Mark Benjamin, a registered private pilot, was the pilot of the flight.

Morley Builders Vice President Charles Muttillo issued a statement on its website Monday morning.

“We are aware of a plane crash at Santa Monica Airport last night,” Muttillo said. “While we do not have specific facts, we believe that our President and CEO, Mark Benjamin, and his son, Luke Benjamin, a Senior Project Engineer with us were on board. We are unable to issue a further statement at this time. We will provide you with more updates as soon as we learn of them.”

Santa Monca Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Laurel Rosen said Mark Benjamin was “a friend to many of us.”

“He was an important part of the Santa Monica Community, who not only supported the Chamber over the years but gave of himself to many organizations,” Rosen said. “Our hearts go out to his family, we will all miss him.”

A crane will be used Monday morning at Santa Monica Airport to remove the collapsed hangar that’s concealed the eight-seat twin-engine Cessna Citation that crashed into it at 6:20 pm Sunday.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators will be on scene to determine how many people were on board the plane, which has been described as an “unsurvivable crash.”

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told The Mirror on Sunday night that the twin-engine Cessna Citation went off the right side of the runway after landing.

Gregor said the plane then struck a hangar.

“We do not have information on the number of people on board or their conditions,” Gregor told The Mirror.

Gregor said the plane departed from Hailey, Idaho.

According to flight tracking website Flightaware.com, the plane’s tail number was N194SJ, which is registered in Malibu to CREX-MML LLC, a company with an address on Morning View Drive and owned by Mark Benjamin.

The website said the plane departed Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, ID at 5:14 pm MDT (4:14 pm PST). The flight lasted two hours 10 minutes before arriving at SMO.

The plane had departed SMO on Friday 7:15 pm PST, arriving at Friedman Memorial at 10:02 pm MDT.

in News
<>Related Posts

Controlled Burn Set for Temescal Ridge Trail to Probe Cause of January Wildfire

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

The burn is part of an effort to determine the wildfire’s point of origin and the mechanisms Residents near Pacific...

Prime Time Sports and Day Camps Coming Soon

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

Prime Time Sports Camp has remained a constant in the everchanging camp landscape for over 30 years by following this...

Tingly Drinks, Kona Coffee, and Comedy Nights: Kavahana Brings a New Kind of Buzz to Santa Monica

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Right around the corner from Main Street, Kavahana is redefining how people hang out in Santa Monica. Part kava nectar...

(Video) Look Inside Santa Monica’s New Pilot Training Academy

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

For More Info, Go To Skingpilotacademy.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/A8JMlWX7sQ. pic.twitter.com/owAWpsZtEI — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) April 30,...

 Preliminary Hearing Begins for Driver in Malibu Crash That Claimed Four Pepperdine Students’ Lives

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Defense Disputes Speed Claims in PCH Tragedy That Killed Four A Malibu man accused of speeding and crashing into a...

Stolen Vehicle Crash Leads to Arrest, Loaded Gun Recovered in Santa Monica

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

The vehicle sped southbound on 3rd Street and attempted to cross the intersection at Ocean Park Boulevard A suspect was...

Chamber Music Palisades to Present Premiere and Classical Works at April Concert

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

The performance will feature compositions by French composers Jacques Ibert, Maurice Ravel, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Francis Poulenc, alongside the world...

Palisades Will Rogers 5K Moves to Venice Beach After Fire Damage

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Proceeds from this year’s race will help fund the rebuilding of the community center, a longstanding gathering place for local...

A vocal flower blooms in Beverly Canon Gardens

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Soprano Golda Zahra comes home to put on a free concert in her old neighborhood. “Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa…” The young couple was...

Culver City Baseball and Softball Teams Gear Up for Crucial Santa Monica Matchups

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Centaur Baseball Seeks Revenge After Last Year’s Setback Against Santa Monica Culver City High School’s varsity, junior varsity, and softball...

Kids Learn Season of Science, Biomimicry in Heal the Bay Science Camp

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

This summer, kids have the opportunity to engage in science in Heal the Bay’s Aquarium Summer Science Camp.  Heal the...

Los Angeles Residents Accused of Defrauding FEMA After Devastating Wildfires

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Defendants Faked Damage and Residency to Illegally Collect FEMA Aid Five individuals have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly...

Santa Monicans Petition Waymo to Reduce Charging Station Noise

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Residents say the constant beeping — described as a non-stop “beep-beep-beep” from vehicles backing out — has created a public...

SMC Symphony to Perform Bernstein, Gershwin, and Beethoven

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

The concert will showcase musical styles, from Broadway-inspired rhythms to the traditional drama The Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra will...

Hacienda-Style Palisades Home Sells for $12M After Wildfires

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

The home and its immediate surroundings remained virtually untouched by the fires A modern hacienda-style home in Pacific Palisades has...