Crime & Safety
Dog, Pilot Swim To Safety After Plane Crash In Rancho Palos Verdes
A "catastrophic mechanical failure" caused the plane to crash off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes, authorities said.
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrived Monday at the scene of a plane crash that left the pilot and his dog needing to swim to safety on shore.
The crash happened at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday about 200 yards off the shore of Rancho Palos Verdes near the Trump National Golf Club, according to the Lomita Sheriff's Station.
The pilot, Christopher Krajacic, and his dog were able to safely exit the Piper Saratoga aircraft and met with first responders on the shore.
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"The occupant of the plane and his dog made it to shore and were met by Lomita Station Deputies," authorities said.
A "catastrophic mechanical failure" caused the crash authorities said, and the plane completely sank into the ocean according to reports from ABC7.
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FAA investigators were notified and the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, authorities said.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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