Disney Imagineer Identified As Pilot Killed In Sylmar Plane Crash
SYLMAR (CBSLA) — Federal investigators combed through the wreckage Monday of a small plane that crashed into a Sylmar field, killing the pilot.
Scott Frazier Watson, 55, of Marina Del Rey, was killed when his plane crashed into a field right alongside the 5 Freeway in Sylmar Sunday afternoon. The father of three was pronounced dead at the scene.
Several motorists on the freeway reportedly stopped and ran down the freeway to try to help the pilot before emergency services arrived. Traffic on the northbound 5 and 405 freeways ground to a slow crawl because the crash could be seen from the freeway.
Watson's daughter, Katie, said her father had his pilot's license for about 15 to 20 years and that he was returning home to the Van Nuys Airport from a weekend trip.
Watson, who was called by relatives as a computer genius who worked his way up to become head of technology for Disney Engineering, had made a mayday call for help, but it's not known what was wrong with the plane.
Bob Weis, president, Walt Disney Imagineering, released a statement saying that the company was "stunned and saddened by the loss of our long-time friend and colleague." The statement continued, saying that "those of us who worked with Scott during his nearly 30-year career at Disney knew him as a humble genius who made making magic look easy."
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were on the scene Monday to look through the wreckage of the plane.
