WWII Plane Crashes at El Toro Air Show; 2 Die

A World War II-era training aircraft preparing to take part in an air show at the El Toro U.S. Marine Air Base crashed Saturday into an empty chapel at the Orange County base, killing the pilot and passenger.

Thousands who were lined up to enter the base for the annual air show watched as the privately owned, two-seater aircraft snagged a power line and crashed.

According to Marine officials, the single-engine plane apparently lost power shortly after takeoff, causing it to snag the power line and crash.

The pilot was identified as Merrel R. Gossman, 55, of Canoga Park, a civilian. The passenger was identified as Navy Hospitalman Robert G. Arrowsmith, 25.

Marine spokesman Lt. Peter D. Larato said Gossman was a member of the Condor Squadron, a group of about 40 veteran war pilots that was participating in the base’s 36th annual air show. His craft was a World War II trainer known as an AT6 or SNJ.

Witnesses said the plane narrowly missed a gymnasium before crashing into the chapel. The chapel, built in the early 1940s, was destroyed in the subsequent fire.

Capt. Gordon Read, the base chaplain, said no one was in the chapel when the plane crashed.

Parts of the airplane were strewn about the small wooden chapel. The plane’s motor tore a hole in a wall and came to rest on the side of the building, an official said.

The air show, which usually attracts about 250,000 spectators during its three-day run each year, continued as scheduled Saturday.