Plane That Left O.C. Crashes Near Julian, Killing 2

A twin-engine plane that took off from John Wayne Airport crashed Thursday, killing the two licensed pilots on board.

Wayne Robert Kropa, a Laguna Hills resident who worked at the airport, died in the fiery crash near Julian in eastern San Diego County, according to one of his employees at Signature Flight Support. The details were confirmed by a source who requested anonymity.

The other pilot’s identity was not confirmed Sunday.

Peter Krausert, a technician at Signature Flight Support, was mourning the loss of the two men Sunday, particularly for his boss, Kropa. Kropa was a supervisor at Signature. Krausert said Kropa was married with two young children.

“I was clinging to a little bit of hope that he was still alive. I feel very saddened for his wife and children. That is a very hard thing,” Krausert said.

Kropa’s family declined to comment, citing a continuing investigation.

Krausert said the two set off to pick up someone in Mexicali, Mexico, but never arrived.

According to Bruce Nelson, Federal Aviation Administration operations officer, the two men left John Wayne Airport in a Cessna 340 and ascended to at least 11,000 feet.

Five miles east of Julian, the plane descended rapidly to 5,000 feet and then lost radio contact, Nelson said.

A witness heard a loud bang from the aircraft, which burned on the ground.

Nelson said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. He said he did not have the names of the victims.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department responded to the crash but said it could not provide any details Sunday.

Signature Flight Support’s Web site indicates that the company helps airlines with fueling, ground handling, passenger services, maintenance and cargo handling, among other airport services.

Krausert said a flight instructor for Lenair--a pilot training facility at John Wayne Airport--who was a friend of Kropa was also on board, but his identity was not confirmed Sunday. Sal Piazza, listed as president of Lenair, would not comment.

Krausert said that because both men worked in aviation, the deaths “have really hit close to home. We are a close-knit community here at the airport, and something like this really hurts.”