Two More Bodies Found Saturday
The death toll in Friday's crash of a Beech Bonanza BE-35 into a
Hollywood (CA) area apartment building has risen to four. Still, as
if to keep stoking the potential for anti-GA frenzy; federal
officials on the scene keep saying that it doesn't look like a
terror attack--over and over again.
The search continues Sunday for clues as to why the Bonanza,
which had just taken off from Santa Monica Airport, crashed at
approximately 3:45 p.m. PDT. The pilot of the aircraft, flying VFR,
conversed normally with the control tower at Santa Monica and was
told to switch frequencies to talk with TRACON. He never showed up
on the other frequency. Without explanation, the aircraft dove-nose
first into the roof of the apartment complex.
"Huge Explosions"
Residents of the building in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles
ran the gamut of emotions on Saturday. Many, like actor Larry
McQullan, were still in shock as they tried to recover what was
left of their lives from the burned-out building. "Big explosions
shook the building - actually snapped off my door frames," he
recalled. "I opened the door and there was fire toward the front of
the hallway. We grabbed the dogs and got out."
Kevin Du Toit, who lived with his family in the apartment
building, was ecstatic to have escaped with his loved ones. Du Toit
says it's a miracle his children are even alive. "It's a great day.
It's a blessing. It's a miracle, that's what it is," he said.
"Because my kids should (have been) sleeping, and their bedroom is
right next to where the plane went straight through."
Seven people have been hospitalized in the wake of the accident.
The aircraft, which was consumed in the resulting explosion
and fire, remains unidentified, as does the pilot and any
passengers he may have had on board.
Sifting Through The Rubble
Rescue and recovery teams found what they think are the pilot's
remains, along with one other body, Friday. Saturday, two more
bodies were found buried deep within the rubble of the 14-unit
apartment building. Although everyone thought to have been in the
building at the time of the crash has been accounted for, LA Fire
Department officials say they're continuing the search, on the
off-chance they might have missed something.