2 Victims of Plane Crash Identified
Using dental X-rays, county coroner’s officials have identified the two passengers killed in a plane crash last week near Whiteman Airport.
Coroner’s investigator Robert Fierro said Gordon Hechter, 41, and Manuel Melena, 32, both of Pacoima, were passengers in a four-seat Ryan Navion that crashed through the bedroom of a home on Hoyt Street shortly after takeoff on Sept. 25, damaging that and another house.
Pilot Michael Boolen, 44, of North Hills, remained at County-USC Medical Center with burns.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash. Officials with the agency say it will be six weeks before a preliminary cause will be determined.
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