01/13/2011 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // Sandra Quinlan // Justice News Flash
Warner Springs, CA—A World War II-era plane with two people aboard it went down at a Southern California airport Monday evening, Jan. 10, 2011, claiming the life of the pilot and injuring his son. The fatal accident, which involved a Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR biplane, occurred around 5:30 p.m. in northern San Diego County, according to information provided by San Diego 6 News.
Richard Hawkins, an 87-year-old Lake Elsinore resident, was reportedly piloting a biplane and was headed toward Borrego Springs from French Valley Airport when darkness apparently spurred him to try to land the aircraft at Warner Springs Airport.
The plane subsequently crashed into a windsock pole and overturned. The biplane was seemingly destroyed in the aviation accident. A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two primary wings, which are positioned on top of each other.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene of the plane crash, where they found Richard Hawkins and his son, Don Hawkins, 60, suffering from various injuries.
According to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler, both victims were flown to Palomar Medical Center via medical helicopter. While Don Hawkins was listed in serious condition at the hospital, his father’s injuries proved fatal a few hours after the San Diego County aircraft wreck.
Investigations into the deadly Warner Springs biplane crash were expected to be underway. It was not clear if authorities from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified of the accident.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for California Aviation Accident Lawyers.
Media Information:
Address:
Phone: 866-598-1315
Url: Sandra Quinlan: West Palm Beach Injury News
