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Van Nuys Jet Plane Crash Investigation Underway

Saturday, January 13, 2007

VAN NUYS, January 13, 2007 (KABC) -- The owners of charter jet that crashed just north of Van Nuys Airport declined to identify the two pilots killed in the accident, while coroner's investigators worked to match dental records Saturday to confirm their names.

Due to the charred remains, coroner's investigators declined to name the pilots pending positive identification, and no one at Sun Quest aviation would identify the two.

"They're (the pilots) charred. It's going to be weeks because they'll have to go to their dentals," coroner's Lt. Brenda Shafer said.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are in charge of the investigation.

The Cessna Citation 525 -- a twin-engine business jet -- apparently had a problem with a luggage hatch on the left side of the nose of the plane and crashed just north of the runway with a full load of fuel, bursting into flames shortly before 11 a.m. Friday.

A corporate jet pilot who saw the crash from the tarmac at Van Nuys told broadcasters he noticed the luggage hatch open, but he did not see any bags inside. He theorized that something could have fallen out and jammed in one of the jet intakes.

The two pilots were en route to Long Beach Airport, then Prescott, Ariz.

Just before the crash, one of the pilots radioed the tower, saying he had an emergency and was trying to return to the airport. Witnesses said the plane banked right moments before hitting the ground in a lot in the 8500 block of Hayvenhurst Avenue. No one on the ground was injured.

According to Stacey Geere of Van Nuys Airport, the plane was owned by Sun Quest, an aviation company that provides charter services and flight training.

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