Student pilot and flight instructor missing after plane disappears near Catalina Island
A search is underway for a student pilot and his flight instructor after their small plane disappeared over the coast of Catalina Island during the Memorial Day weekend.
Edmond Haronian, 50, of Woodland Hills and his instructor, Jason Glazier, 52, of Encino have been missing since Saturday when their single-engine Cessna 172 never landed at its intended destination.
The aircraft departed Catalina Island Airport on Saturday afternoon, but failed to arrive on time at Van Nuys Airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.
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“The FAA alerted authorities that the plane was overdue,” he said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are searching for the missing aircraft. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search late Monday after it said “no signs of any aircraft or anyone in distress” were found.
Haronian’s family commissioned three helicopters to help rescuers search for the aircraft during the weekend. At least one helicopters was aiding in Tuesday’s search.
Just hours before the two men disappeared, a smiling Haronian posted several photographs on Facebook showing him with the aircraft.
“We have no clue where he is,” his brother, Edwin Haronian, said. “The plane has not been found.”
He had been flying for about a year at the Van Nuys-based Encore Flight Academy. Haronian had exchanged a few text messages the day he disappeared, but has not been heard from since, his brother said.
Haronian was recently featured in a Times story about the role of insurance agents in California’s Obamacare enrollment.
Haronian was recognized as a top producer in enrolling people in Obamacare. He told The Times he enrolled more than 1,000 people in the program.
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