Small Homemade Plane Crashes off California Coast, Leaving No Survivors
A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of California on Sunday when a small homemade airplane crashed into the ocean. The aircraft, known as a Cozy Mark IV, had been painstakingly constructed over a period of nearly ten years, reflecting the dedication and passion of its builder.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the single-engine plane, registered to Oakland-based company Winged Wallabies, Inc., was carrying four people at the time of the crash. As of Thursday, only one body has been recovered from the waters near Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.
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While the investigation into the crash is still ongoing, witness accounts suggest that the engine may have lost power before the plane went down. The names of the pilot and two other passengers have not been released, leaving family and friends anxiously awaiting further information.
The builder of the Cozy Mark IV, Thane Ostroth, a retired dentist, sold the aircraft last year to a young and experienced pilot from Australia. The buyer, who was in his late twenties, impressed Ostroth with his knowledge and skill during a successful test flight.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the community of pilots and builders of Cozy aircraft, who often connect and share their experiences through online forums. Ostroth, who spent years constructing and flying the plane, described the incident as “traumatic” and expressed sorrow for those involved.
Home-built aircraft have gained popularity in recent years, with over 33,000 licensed by the FAA. These “experimental” planes, built by individuals rather than mass-produced by companies, must undergo annual inspections to ensure their airworthiness. Cozy aircraft, like the Mark IV, have a comparable safety record to commercially built planes of similar size.
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The Cozy Mark IV, with its unique “canard” design and lightweight construction, has become a favorite among aviation enthusiasts. Aeronautical engineer Marc Zeitlin, who consults with the National Transportation Safety Board on Cozy aircraft crashes, described it as a “sports car in the sky.”
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, the aviation community mourns the loss of life and reflects on the risks and rewards of pursuing this high-flying hobby. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication that go into the construction of these aircraft, as well as the importance of safety and ongoing vigilance in the world of aviation..
