Pilot Killed After Plane Crashes Into Big Rig In San Pedro
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A single-engine plane crashed Friday in a cargo container yard at the Port of Los Angeles, killing the pilot and seriously injuring a man on the ground.
The crash involving a single engine Piper PA-32 and a semi-tractor trailer truck was reported at about noon in the 2500 block of South Navy Way, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The impact of the crash left part of the aircraft wedged into the windshield of the tractor trailer.
The pilot, identified by the Los Angeles County coroner as 53-year-old Larry Voit of Gardena, was declared dead at the scene. Fire officials say bystanders had pulled the pilot from the wreckage and tried to give him CPR until firefighters arrived.
"There was a bystander, a truck driver who was there at the scene, he stopped his truck, jumped out and assisted by providing CPR to the pilot of the aircraft," LAFD spokesman David Ortiz said.
The pilot who passed away has not been identified.
Ethan Haagen was working nearby and still can't believe what he saw.
"He was going around a couple of times, seemed like he was looking for a spot but it just seemed like he didn't get that whole landing," he said. "There's a lot more space over there and it seemed like he couldn't reach that spot."
Another man about 30 years old, who was in the truck, was taken to the hospital in serious condition. He is expected to survive.
The crash also leaked a small amount fuel on the ground, but was secured from further spread, fire officials said.
The crash happened in what fire officials described as an isolated area of the Port of Los Angeles. Port operations have not been affected.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.