The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has released the names of the six individuals who tragically lost their lives in a small plane crash near the French Valley Airport in Murrieta on Saturday morning. The victims include the pilots, Riese Lenders and Manuel Vargas-Regalado, as well as Abigail Tellez-Vargas, Ibrahem Razick, Alma Razick, and Lindsey Gleiche. The crash occurred due to heavy fog, which severely limited visibility near the airport, causing the aircraft to miss the runway by a significant distance.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the pilot had informed air traffic control about executing a “missed approach” due to poor visibility. This technique is used when the pilot cannot clearly see the runway. According to preliminary information from the NTSB, the plane crashed about 500 feet short of the French Valley Airport during its second approach at around 4:15 a.m. By the time authorities arrived, the majority of the aircraft had already been engulfed in flames.
This tragic incident is the second deadly crash at the French Valley Airport within a week. Just days before, another person lost their life shortly after takeoff from the same airstrip. These consecutive accidents have raised concerns about the safety measures and conditions at the airport, prompting authorities to launch further investigations.
The French Valley Airport has come under scrutiny following these recent accidents. The local community is demanding answers and reassurances regarding the safety protocols in place. The NTSB will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crashes and identify any potential safety issues that need to be addressed.