Tragic Catalina Island Plane Crash: Victims’ Identities Unveiled in Heartbreaking Update

Authorities have identified the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on Catalina Island earlier this week.

The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to KTLA that the victims were Daniel Sarner, 51, and Robert Cox, 54. Their small, two-seat aircraft crashed in a remote area of the island, located off the coast of Los Angeles, on Thursday.

The aircraft, a 2014 Solaris Aviation Sling 2, went down at approximately 12:30 p.m. in a rugged ravine on the island’s southern side, near the city of Avalon.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with county fire personnel, promptly responded to the scene. Unfortunately, both men were declared deceased upon their arrival.

According to FlightAware, the plane had departed from Zamperini Field in Torrance at 10:53 a.m., with its last recorded location near Avalon at 11:13 a.m.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram noted that officials found no signs suggesting that the pilot had planned to land on the island.

Records indicate the aircraft had been flown nearly daily before the crash, including recent trips to Catalina and San Diego County.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

FAA records list the plane as registered to a Rancho Palos Verdes resident, but officials have not confirmed whether the owner was on board, KTLA reported.

“This is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives,” said LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I am grateful to our paramedics and Sheriff’s deputies who quickly reached this remote area and are handling this incident with professionalism and care.”

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