Huntington Beach Pilot, Passenger Hurt in San Diego County Plane Crash
A Huntington Beach pilot and his passenger were injured Monday afternoon when their single-engine plane plunged to the ground moments after taking off from Blackington Airstrip at Valley Center near San Marcos.
Sheriff’s deputies said that Kenneth Barwick, 38, was the pilot of the Piper Warrior and that Gary Barnie was the passenger. The plane took off at about 1:20 p.m.
Witnesses said the plane lost power and began dropping. A wing clipped a tree, and the plane “cartwheeled” to the ground, deputies said.
Monday night, Barwick was listed in critical condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital with head injuries, multiple facial fractures and severe chest injuries. Barnie was also listed in critical condition at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
