Man
Injured in Plane Crash is Santa Monica Contractor |
By Lookout Staff
October 10 – One of the two men who was critically
injured in a plane crash on Malibu beach Tuesday evening is a
contractor for Bayside District who oversees the construction
of the holiday ice rink Downtown.
Griff Horner, 70, was one of the two men hospitalized in critical condition
after the small plane they were in crashed in the ocean shortly after taking
off from Santa Monica Airport, according to Bayside officials.
“He’s been one of our main vendors and contractors for a few years
now,” said Andrew Thomas, who is in charge of operations for the Bayside
District Corporation, which runs the Downtown.
“He oversaw the building of the ice rink last year and is working on
it this year,” Thomas said.
“He’s more than someone we just work with,” Thomas said.
“He’s a friend, a great person. I hope he pulls out of this. He’s
a real fantastic guy.”
Horner reportedly walked away from the crash and climbed the steps of the Malibu
pier under his own strength, according to sources familiar with the incident
He apparently suffered broken ribs and a broken sternum.
It has not be revealed whether Horner, who is an experienced pilot and helicopter
instructor, was at the controls when the single-engine Sky Arrow
600 went down 50 yards offshore near the Malibu Pier.
The pilot was not in communication with air traffic controllers at the time
of the crash, said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. It is not known where the plane
was headed.
The victims were pulled from the ocean after the crash and airlifted to a nearby
hospital, authorities said.
The plane was registered to Northfield Aviation in Santa Monica..
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the
crash.
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