A fatal plane crash occurred at the Santa Monica Airport Wednesday, January 28, 2009 when a Single engine Marchetti SF-260 aircraft departed westward on Runway 21. Two people died in the accident, both the pilot and the only passenger.
Witnesses say that the plane had immediate trouble after take-off, doing a nose dive straight down from about 500 feet. Authorities responded immediately to the scene, and the airport was closed down until the NTSB and FAA and LA County Coroner complete their investigation. The plane was based out of the Santa Monica Airport, and the names of the pilot and passenger have not been released.
