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One killed in small plane crash

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The plane did not catch fire when it went down in a vacant field, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The plane did not catch fire when it went down in a vacant field, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LLANO – A small plane crashed Thursday in a rural high desert area near 165th Street East and East Avenue X, killing the pilot.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash, the single-engine Piper PA-25 was not carrying any passengers. (LUIS MEZA)
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash, the single-engine Piper PA-25 was not carrying any passengers. (LUIS MEZA)

The pilot — who was in his 60s, according to the coroner’s office — died at the scene of the crash, which was reported about 12:15 p.m.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash, the single-engine Piper PA-25 was not carrying any passengers.

The plane did not catch fire when it went down in a vacant field, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The crash occurred less than a mile away from Crystal Airport, a private-use airport located about 6 miles south of Pearblossom.

Channing Morse, 67, was killed in the crash. [Image source: Soaring Academy website]
Tow pilot Channing Morse, 67, was killed in the crash. [Image source: Soaring Academy website]
A woman at the scene, Iris Scochio, said the aircraft was part of the Southern California Soaring Academy, which offers glider flight training at the airport. The flight school was closed Thursday, but its members were there for the nonprofit organization’s Wounded Service Member Glider Program. [Read more about the program here.]

“Every month they give free glider rides to the veterans from different hospitals,” Scochio said. “My girlfriend and I, we baked for them, took it over, and within a couple of hours this incident happened.”

“It was the tow plane that went down,” Scochio added. “It breaks all of our hearts that this happened.”

The pilot’s name is being withheld pending next of kin notification, coroner’s officials said Thursday evening.

UPDATE: The deceased pilot has been identified as 67-year-old Channing Morse.

[City News Service contributed to this report.]
(Image via LASD twitter)
(Image via LASD twitter)

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Filed Under: Palmdale

11 comments for "One killed in small plane crash"

  2. I flew H3 helicopters with Chan in the USAFR in the late 1980s. He was an outstanding pilot and person. I am proud to have known him. RIP Chan.

  3. Chan was a great pilot and amazing man. RIP my friend. You may be gone from this earth but have your own wings now. Peace and comfort be with your family and many friends throughout the world.

  4. I knew Chan and worked with him many years ago. He was a consummate professional and a great guy. He will be missed.

  5. It is truly unfortunate that people are commenting as they are here. How about the man who passed in this unfortunate incident?
    Did you know him, his achievements, his humanitarianism? I did, and I am proud to have known him, worked with him and flown with him. Chan was an incredible man. Rest in peace Chan. God Bless.

    • Chan was a humble and compassionate person and a consummate professional in the cockpit. He died doing what he loved and volunteering for those who served this great nation. Rest in peace my friend.

    • Indeed. On a day they were doing volunteer work. Hard not to let that skew the view away from any natural justice in the world.

  7. Excellent work by Deputy Todd Shaffer coordinating all LASD activities in support of this unfortunate incident. Condolences to the family of the pilot.