Malibu Man Identified As Pilot Killed In Van Nuys Plane Crash
VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities identified a 78-year-old Malibu man as the pilot killed in a plane crash just east of Van Nuys Airport.
The plane slammed into the industrial building at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hart Street and Woodley Avenue.
Arthur Newman died at the scene, according to the coroner's office. An autopsy was pending.
Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot was apparently performing "touch-and-go" practice maneuvers at Van Nuys Airport before the crash.
KNX 1070's helicopter traffic reporter Desmond Shaw witnessed the crash while heading to an assignment. He said the pilot contacted the tower at Van Nuys Airport and reported hearing a banging noise. Tower personnel responded that part of his landing gear appeared to be loose.
The pilot said he would head back to the airport to land, but never made it, Shaw said.
"He circled back around and was about to make a descent onto (the runway) and all of a sudden lost altitude and crashed into the side of an industrial building," Shaw said.
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