July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Authorities Identify Single-Engine Lancair Pilot Killed Friday In Van Nuys Crash:

A small airplane crashed Friday in Lake Balboa near Van Nuys Airport shortly after takeoff, killing the pilot, a professor at Arizona State University.

The man, identified by the coroner’s office as 47-year-old Alberto Enrique Behar of Scottsdale, Arizona, died at the scene of the crash that occurred shortly after 1 p.m. at Hayvenhurst Avenue and Vanowen Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

No one else was aboard the aircraft.

Behar was a research professor at Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration.

Before becoming a professor, Behar worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 18 years, operating, designing, building, testing and deploying scientific instruments and robotics in such extreme environments as Antarctica, Greenland and the Mojave Desert, according to biographical information provided by Arizona State University.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Ian Gregor, citing preliminary information, said the plane was a single-engine Lancair.

The circumstances of the crash were under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.

The intersection where the plane went down was closed after the crash and Metro reported buses on Line 165 were detoured from Vanowen Street to Victory Boulevard between Woodley Avenue and Balboa Boulevard.

The runway at Van Nuys Airport was inspected following the crash and declared operational, according to spokeswoman Mary Grady.

Los Angeles police Sgt. Barry Montgomery said it was fortunate that no one was injured on the ground on a busy Friday afternoon in the San Fernando Valley.

“I think the citizens in this area were really very fortunate… that this wasn’t a more tragic incident,” Montgomery said.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...