Joeun Park, Gonzalo Lubel Obituary, Death: Fifth and Final Victim Identified in Santa Catalina Island Plane Crash
A tragic plane crash occurred on Santa Catalina Island on October 8, resulting in the loss of five lives. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has identified the fifth and final victim as Joeun Park, 37. The crash also claimed the lives of Gonzalo Lubel, 34, Haris Ali, 33, Margaret Mary Fenner, 55, and Ali Reza Safai, 73.
The plane, a twin-engine Beechcraft 95-B55, crashed shortly after taking off from Catalina Airport in Avalon around 8 p.m. on October 8. The aircraft went down about a mile west of the airport, resulting in the fatalities of all five people aboard. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation and expected to provide further updates.
According to FAA records, the plane was registered to Safai, a former flight instructor at the now-defunct Santa Monica Aviation. Flight records show that the Beechcraft took off from Santa Monica Airport around 6 p.m. and arrived at Catalina Airport about 20 minutes later. While Catalina Airport normally closes at 5 p.m., the pilot had made arrangements to land after hours but did not have approval for the later takeoff when the crash occurred.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Avalon station reported receiving an SOS notification from a cell phone indicating possible injuries. Deputies, along with Los Angeles County Fire Department and Avalon Search and Rescue teams, responded to the location and found the wreckage about a mile from the Catalina Island Airport. All five adults aboard were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims’ families and loved ones are grieving the loss of their loved ones, and the community is coming together to support them. A fund has been set up to help cover funeral expenses and provide support to the families during this difficult time.
The incident has raised questions about aviation safety and the importance of following protocols. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the crash.
As the investigation continues, the community is remembering the lives lost in the tragic incident. Joeun Park, Gonzalo Lubel, Haris Ali, Margaret Mary Fenner, and Ali Reza Safai will be deeply missed by their loved ones and the community.
In the days and weeks to come, the community will continue to come together to support the families and loved ones of the victims. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of all individuals involved in flight.
The memory of Joeun Park, Gonzalo Lubel, Haris Ali, Margaret Mary Fenner, and Ali Reza Safai will live on in the hearts of their loved ones and the community. May they rest in peace.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from the community, with many offering condolences and assistance to the families of the victims. As the investigation continues, the community will continue to come together to support those affected by the tragic incident.
