The pilot of a small plane died after crashing near Oakland International Airport. (CBS)
OAKLAND (CBS SF) — The pilot of a small single-engine Navion plane died after crashing into the water near the Oakland International Airport Sunday afternoon, according to police and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Police and airport officials responded to reports of a small plane similar to a Cessna plane—crashing into the water behind Oakland International Airport about 4 p.m., Oakland police Officer Kevin McDonald said.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the plane either crashed or crash-landed into the water after taking off out of Oakland about 3:40 p.m.
KCBS’ Bob Butler Reports:
Responding paramedics were dispatched in a single ambulance, and the pilot of the plane was reported dead shortly after officials arrived, according to the FAA and Oakland Fire Department.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)
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15 Comments
My heart breaks for this pilot’s family. I lost my husband, Steve, on 9/11/7. He was killed while testing a plane just prior to the Reno Air Races, in Reno, NV.
April 3, 2011 at 5:44 pm | | Report comment
this man is my best friend grandad and she is only 9
April 5, 2011 at 2:18 pm | | Report comment
We were at the San Leandro Marina Park when this happened and we saw the firemen going out to help… We feel terrible for the pilot and his family!
April 3, 2011 at 5:58 pm | | Report comment
bless you pilot and your family, my prayers are with you
April 3, 2011 at 8:06 pm | | Report comment
“High Flight”
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air….
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent lifting mind I have trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
- Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
April 3, 2011 at 8:31 pm | | Report comment
We tried to save him but to no avail. We dug his head free of the mud. There was no pulse. Hopefully he died on impact, quickly and without pain.
April 3, 2011 at 9:05 pm | | Report comment
just want to acknowledge you . . . how heart-painful it must have been for you . . . to witness the end of this life . . . you were there to revive.if possible but it was not . . . thank you thank you for being that kind soul, — my heart is with you
April 3, 2011 at 11:30 pm | | Report comment
thanks for trying to save him, he was my dad. I hope too that it was pain free. He died doing what he loved. thanks again, Richard.
April 4, 2011 at 4:05 am | | Report comment
My condolences to you and your family. Apparently your father ditched the plane to avoid a family picnicking in the filed where he was going to make an emergency landing. That makes him a hero in my book. His selflessness in a time of danger is an example for others to follow. Hopefully this helps infuse your sadness with well-deserved pride in your father.
April 4, 2011 at 5:38 pm
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dang… that just sucks. RIP pilot.
April 4, 2011 at 12:16 am | | Report comment
To Richard Beaumont and family members: God only takes the good ones and your Dad must have been part of God’s plan in some way. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this difficult tiome. Strong faith will help get you through this. God Bless you and the rest of your family.
April 4, 2011 at 8:33 am | | Report comment
Thanks , As I am in Australia , reading your comments makes a real difference because you were there.
April 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm | | Report comment
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