Dean's Plane Under Study Today for Cause of Crash

Federal NTSB investigators today were at a Palmdale-area yard studying the wreckage of Wednesday's plane crash at Long Beach Airport--seeking what caused the tragedy which claimed the lives of five local businessmen and injured a sixth.

The plane, owned by victim Tom Dean, was hauled Thursday from the airfield to a private salvage yard in Pear Blossom near Palmdale, said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. The evidence is under examination for the usual focus areas for a crash, he said. They include an assessment of the plane's basic integrity, pilot actions and mechanical function. 

"They look at whether the flight controls were intact, and if they were broken, they have the ability to tell if ...that occurred as part of the impact, or a stress accident. They look to see whether the engine was running at the time of the crash. It is very technical."

In any crash, he said, these experts "look at the condition of the aircraft, the performance of the pilot, aircraft maintenance records, things like that....The performance of the air traffic control facilities. The NTSB is the lead, and the FAA has specific areas of responsibility. So all future reports will come from them. A preliminary finding on the cause of the crash may come in a week or two but the final report may take months.

Gregor said that there was no radio call from the plane after it took off about 10:30 a.m. with six men aboard bound for Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends said the men were headed for a ski trip in Park City. Gregor also clarified first-day witness reports that the plane had circled twice and was attempting a landing when it crashed.

"There was no indication the pilot was trying to return. That's interpretation," Gregor said. "The only facts are that the plane took off, almost immediately made a fairly sharp left bank, a left turn, flew west briefly, then made a very sharp bank or dive into the airfield. There's no indication that the pilot was trying to return."

The L.A. County Coroner identified the fatal victims as Jeffrey Albert Berger, 49, of Manhattan Beach; Mark Llewllyn Bixby, 44, of Long Beach; Kenneth Earl Cruz, 43, of Culver City; Thomas Fay Dean, 50, of Laguna Beach, and Bruce Michael Krall, 51, of Ladera Ranch.

Naples resident Mike Jensen was the sole, and somewhat miraculous, survivor. He remains seriously injured but his condition had improved some Friday, his family reported. Jensen owns a retail development consulting firm for which Bixby worked.

Cruz was the pilot of the plane and worked for Rainbow Air of Long Beach. The FAA said Friday that he obtained his pilot's license in 2002, his commercial license in 2003 and has no record of any enforcement action by the FAA, nor prior incidents.

Dean owned the plane and was partners with Berger in a land development firm that has done extensive business in and with the City of Long Beach. Krall was their banker. Bixby, the native son of the family that helped settle Long Beach from its rancho days, was a hometown boy who attended Wilson High school, where he played water polo, as his son does now.

Third District Councilman Gary DeLong, who knew most of the victims, on Friday offered a few updates from the families of Bixby and Jensen. From Bixby's widow, Theresa Bixby:

"The outpouring of love and support for Mark Bixby from so many people has been amazing.  We are all heartbroken and appreciative of people showing their love with food and flowers.  In recognition of Mark’s many passions in life, the Bixby family would be honored if future generosity was shown by donations to one of the following charities in his honor:

YMCA of Greater Long Beach, Camping Services Endowment (562) 270-1700.

Rotary Club of Long Beach Scholarship Foundation (562) 436-8181.

Children Today (562) 432-1224.

Thank you again for your love and support of the family during this difficult time."

From Jensen's family:

"Mike Jensen has been transferred to a medical center specializing in burn treatment, and continues to improve each day.  The heartfelt community concern and support is extremely gratifying to the Jensen family."

A private candlelight vigil for friends of Bixby was planned by Wilson classmates and will offer a prayer for all of the crash victims, many of whom have deep rotes in Belmont Shore, Naples and greater Long Beach.

DeLong said that he understood Dean and Berger will also have private services.