Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Four People Off California Coast
Construction of Home-Built Aircraft Ends in Fatal Accident
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a devastating turn of events, a small airplane that crashed into the ocean off the California coast on Sunday has claimed the lives of four individuals. This aircraft, known as the Cozy Mark IV, was meticulously constructed over a period of nearly a decade, highlighting the growing popularity of home-built aircraft across the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) believes that the single-engine plane was carrying four people when it went down in the evening just south of San Francisco. Tragically, no survivors have been found, and as of Thursday, only one body has been recovered from the waters near Half Moon Bay.
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The pilot and two other passengers have not been identified at this time. The plane was registered to Winged Wallabies, Inc., a company based in Oakland.
Details of the Crash Remain Unclear
While the exact cause of the crash has yet to be determined, a witness reported hearing an engine losing power and cutting out. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed whether the plane’s owner was among those on board.
Thane Ostroth, a retired dentist who spent years building and flying the Cozy Mark IV, recently sold the plane to a young pilot from Australia. Ostroth was impressed by the buyer’s knowledge and skills, as he landed the plane perfectly on his first test flight.
Ostroth, who heard about the crash through an online chat group for Cozy aircraft enthusiasts, described the incident as “traumatic” and expressed his deep sorrow for those involved.
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The Growing Popularity of Home-Built Aircraft
Home-built planes, like the Cozy Mark IV, have gained significant popularity in recent years. The FAA has licensed over 33,000 amateur-built aircraft, a number that has tripled since the 1980s. These planes are categorized as “experimental” by the administration and must undergo annual inspections for airworthiness.
Aeronautical engineer Marc Zeitlin, who consults with the National Transportation Safety Board on crash investigations involving Cozy aircraft, emphasized that these planes have a safety record comparable to commercially built planes of similar size.
With their lightweight design and fuel efficiency, the Cozy Mark IV has become a popular choice among aviation hobbyists who enjoy building their own aircraft. Zeitlin himself owns one and describes it as a “sports car in the sky.”
As investigations continue and the aviation community mourns the loss of lives, questions surrounding the crash will hopefully be answered in the coming weeks. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
Christopher Weber, The Associated Press
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