Couple Killed in Plane Crash Off Monterey
A Van Nuys couple died Friday when a small plane crashed into Monterey Bay and the U.S. Coast Guard was searching for the bodies of two more people presumed killed, officials said.
According to the flight plan filed with the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane took off at 7:32 a.m. from Van Nuys Airport and was headed for the Monterey Peninsula Airport when it crashed west of Point Pinos, FAA spokesman Russ Park said .
Officials found the bodies of Bernard Lewis, 62, and his wife, Elayne Lewis, 60, of Van Nuys in the craft. Listed as missing were the plane’s pilot, Alphonse Van Bastelaar, 39, and his wife, Aleta.
The Piper Cherokee was attempting to make an instrument landing when the pilot lost touch with the tower about a mile and a half away just before the 10:10 a.m. crash, Coast Guard Lt. Commander Philip Sanders said. The cause of the crash was under investigation.
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