Small plane crashes on Catalina Island; both aboard are killed, officials say

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A small aircraft carrying two people crashed Thursday afternoon on Catalina Island, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.The plane, a 2014 Airplane Factory Sling, took off from Zamperini Field in Torrance at 10:53 a.m.

and was last seen at 11:13 a.m.near Avalon, per FlightAware.

The aircraft was en route to the island and crashed in Avalon around 12:20 p.m.in a rugged, not easily accessible area, prompting an emergency response from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.In a statement, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes the island, said that emergency crews and paramedics were among the first to reach the crash site.

Both individuals aboard the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene.“This is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives,” Hahn said in a statement on X.“I am grateful to our paramedics and Sheriff’s deputies who quickly reached this remote area and are handling this incident with professionalism and care.” Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims.

Details about what caused the crash are not yet known.The plane had flown almost every day in the lead-up to the crash, according to records from FlightAware.The most recent flights were to Carlsbad, and the plane had last flown to Catalina on March 29 and 30.A spokesperson for the FAA told The Times that their agency and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating this incident.The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.

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