Firefighters responding to a plane crash incident in Simi Valley.
A small plane crash in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday afternoon resulted in the deaths of the pilot and his son. Paul Berkovitz, 69, and his 36-year-old son, Matthew, were aboard the Vans RV-10 when the aircraft crashed, damaging two homes and causing fires. Fortunately, residents were evacuated safely. The National Transportation Safety Board has commenced an investigation into the incident, and preliminary reports are expected within 30 days. The Berkovitz family has requested privacy during this difficult time, highlighting Paul’s dedication to animal rescue.
Simi Valley, California – A small plane crash on Saturday afternoon resulted in the deaths of the pilot and his son. The victims were identified as 69-year-old Paul Berkovitz from Westlake Village and his 36-year-old son, Matthew J. Berkovitz from Thousand Oaks. The incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. local time on the 200 block of High Meadow Street in the Wood Ranch area of Simi Valley.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Vans RV-10, a single-engine fixed-wing plane that had taken off from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster, heading toward Camarillo Airport. Paul Berkovitz, the sole occupant of the aircraft, died at the scene. Both individuals succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries; authorities have ruled their deaths as accidental.
The impact of the crash resulted in the severe damage of two homes, which caught fire upon collision. Fortunately, residents were inside at the time but were safely evacuated without any reported injuries. Two families are now displaced due to the structural damage, with one home classified as red-tagged for its unsafe condition and another as yellow-tagged for requiring further inspection.
Approximately 40 firefighters were dispatched to the crash site, coordinating efforts with the Simi Valley Police Department. Fire crews worked diligently to extinguish the flames and attend to salvage operations as smoke became visible from the homes shortly after the crash.
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator has been assigned to the case, and the investigation is currently ongoing. The NTSB will document the wreckage before moving it to a secure facility for further assessment. A full investigation could take up to 18 months, with collaborative efforts between the NTSB and the FAA in determining the cause of the crash. A preliminary report from the FAA is expected within the next 30 days.
The Berkovitz family has expressed their gratitude toward first responders and requested privacy during this difficult time. They shared that Paul Berkovitz was passionate about both aviation and animal rescue, known for his dedication to flying dogs from shelters to new homes through the nonprofit organization Pilot N Paws. This highlights his commitment to the welfare of animals.
Witness accounts indicate that the aircraft circled the area multiple times before the crash and exhibited erratic flying behavior. The RV-10 model has previously been involved in accidents, raising concerns regarding the safety of amateur-built aircraft. In the U.S., there are approximately 30,000 certified amateur-built planes, with the RV-10 among the most popular among aviation enthusiasts.
Following this incident, investigations are underway to evaluate the design and safety standards related to experimental aircraft, as authorities aim to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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