Tragic Plane Crash: 6 Victims Identified in French Valley Airport Tragedy
The recent plane crash near the French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California, has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has released the identities of the victims who perished in this unfortunate incident. The crash occurred early Saturday morning, highlighting the challenges faced by pilots due to heavy fog that limited visibility in the area.
The identities of the victims who lost their lives in the crash have been revealed to be:
- Riese Lenders, 25, of Rancho Palos Verdes
- Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, of Temecula (pilot)
- Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, of Murrieta
- Ibrahem Razick, 46, of Temecula
- Alma Razick, 51, of Temecula
- Lindsey Gleiche, 31, of Huntington Beach
The French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California, experienced a devastating plane crash resulting in the loss of six lives. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, when heavy fog blanketed the area, posing significant challenges for pilots attempting to land. This article aims to shed light on the details surrounding the crash and provide information about the victims involved.
The small plane, a 1979 Cessna C550 business jet, departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 3:15 a.m.
As it approached the French Valley Airport, a marine layer of fog reduced visibility in the vicinity. During its second approach at approximately 4:15 a.m., the aircraft crashed about 500 feet short of the runway. Tragically, all six individuals on board lost their lives in the crash.
Preliminary information suggests that the crash occurred due to the heavy fog that severely limited visibility near the French Valley Airport.
In such situations, pilots may execute a “missed approach,” which is a technique employed when they cannot clearly see the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the pilot reported their intention to perform a missed approach during the flight. The NTSB and other relevant authorities are conducting thorough investigations to determine the exact causes of the crash.
Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed the dense fog on the morning of the crash. Patrick O’Neil, an employee at Moon Valley Nurseries, described the challenging conditions: “It was very foggy this morning. It was almost like you were in a snowstorm where you can’t see a couple of feet ahead of you. So, just getting to work was very challenging. So, I can only imagine trying to land any type of plane, you know, here at the French Valley Airport.”
Regrettably, this plane crash marks the second deadly incident to occur at the French Valley Airport within a week. Just a few days prior, a single-engine Cessna 172 crashed near the airport, resulting in the death of the pilot.
These consecutive accidents have raised concerns and further emphasize the need for a comprehensive investigation into the safety measures and conditions at the airport.
Read More: Plane crash in California