Three Killed in Plane Crash

September 2, 2010 2:24 PM

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REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. (KCBS) _ A small plane that crashed into a lagoon off the San Francisco Bay Thursday afternoon belonged to the founder of a local steel company.

An employee of R.E. Borrmann’s Steel Co. said the twin-engine Beechcraft Queen Air was owned by company founder, 92-year-old Robert Borrmann.

Authorities said Borrmann, his girlfriend and the pilot were all on the plane that crashed a mile after taking off from San Carlos Airport.

Click to listen

Redwood City Fire Battalion Chief Dave Pucci said divers recovered the body of a 40-year-old woman outside the plane. They have also located the other two bodies, but are still attempting to recover them.

Divers had trouble with their search efforts because of contamination in the lagoon caused by a 48,000-gallon sewage spill last week.

The plane took off shortly before noon and was headed to the San Martin Airport in southern Santa Clara County.

AH

no one on the ground was hurt – plane nose dived into the Lagoon. Rescue still working from rowboat and kayak at site of crash.
Katherine

There are some reports that people in boats were there before emergency officials. The truth is they arrived simultaneous. I am in the building right in front of the crash site.
neokinesis

Interesting… I saw two low flying military planes this morning and thought it was weird that the traffic that absolutely horrible could be caused by a 3.3 earthquake. Thats like a burp for Californians.
lenks

they pulled a body (part of) out. doesn’t look promising at all. lagoon is shallow and the plane nose dived straight in.
Observer

They pulled one body out of the plane. As far as we can tell that was the only person inside.
Steve Colen

I work next to the runway in san Carlos and head the plan take off. It caught my attention because it sounded like it was struggling. It sounded like a twin propeller aircraft taking off at full power but moving very very slowly. I’m willing to bet they didn’t calculate the heat of the day, and stalled and nosed into the lagoon in the thin hot air.

Rose

yes, the engine sounded wrong to me right before the crash as I was near the lagoon. Your comment helps to explain that so thanks.

Rose

My mom and I were eating at Mistral which is across the lagoon from the crash site. We heard a plane flying very fast and the engine sounded too loud and fast and then a boom. Other patrons saw the crash and said the plane hit the water. The plane was floating near a walkway behind the business next to Hotel Sofitel. Amazing but several jumped in to help right away. Within an hour the only the tip of the plane was above water. Sirens were heard within minutes. So sorry to hear there may be a death.
BigJim

I was eating at the Sky Kitchen and I warned the aircraft take off. Everyone in the cafe knew the plane and the pilot and they were all commenting on the planes noise. 20 seconds later several folks gasped and stood up. I turned on my seat to see the aircraft heading almost straight down and spinning. It disappeared behind some buildings and my heart sank.

I am saddened to know that we have lost another good person who had the love of flying.
BigJim

I did not warn. Stupid smartphone changed HEARD to warned. Sorry.