2 Killed in Big Bear Lake Plane Crash
The pilot and a passenger died Sunday when a small plane crashed in the Big Bear Lake area after apparently clipping the top of a house on takeoff, according to officials and a witness.
The 29-year-old pilot, whose name was not released, died at the scene. A passenger died later Sunday at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Four other passengers remained hospitalized in serious condition, said Sgt. John Hawks of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The single-engine plane crashed shortly after taking off from the Big Bear Airport, Hawks said.
A witness, Vern Thompson, said the plane was taking off at about 3 p.m. when it apparently clipped the top of a house and fell into a field. The plane took out a fence about 40 feet from the home, Thompson said. No one on the ground was injured.
The crash occurred in a residential area near Mt. Doble and Paradise in the Big Bear Lake area, said Sgt. Dennis Casey of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
No details were available about the identities of the passengers and pilot.
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