Tragedy Strikes as Small Plane Crashes in Riverside County, Killing Six
MURRIETA, Calif. – In a devastating incident, a small plane crashed in Riverside County, claiming the lives of all six people on board. The crash occurred as the aircraft attempted to land for the second time at the French Valley Airport in Murrieta.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ill-fated flight was a 1979 Cessna C550 business jet that departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Saturday.
As the plane approached the French Valley Airport, a marine layer descended upon the area, reducing visibility. Tragically, the aircraft crashed short of the airport during its second approach at around 4:15 a.m., resulting in the loss of all six lives on board.
The Riverside County sheriff’s-coroner office has since identified the victims as Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, of Murrieta; Riese Lenders, 25, of Rancho Palos Verdes; Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, of Temecula; Lindsey Gleiche, 31, of Huntington Beach; Alma Razick, 51; and Abraham Razick, 46, both of Temecula.
Abraham Razick, who owned the Fullerton Ford in Orange County, was remembered fondly by his colleagues and loved ones. The dealership posted a heartfelt tribute to their beloved boss, highlighting his commitment to his community and his embodiment of the values he learned during his time in the Marine Corps.
Meanwhile, Manuel and Abigail Vargas, a married couple from the Inland Empire, were also among the victims. Friends of the couple revealed that they leave behind five children.
Although Manuel Vargas was a pilot, he was not the one flying the plane at the time of the crash. The pilot had reportedly informed air traffic control that he was going to perform a missed approach, a common procedure when the runway is not visible. Air traffic control granted clearance for the missed approach and subsequently cleared the pilot to land again after the first attempt. Tragically, the plane crashed 500 feet short of the intended runway, and the aircraft, excluding the tail, was engulfed in flames.
Witnesses at the scene confirmed the presence of dense fog on Saturday morning, making visibility extremely challenging. Patrick O’Neil, an employee at Moon Valley Nurseries, described the conditions as similar to a snowstorm, where visibility was limited to just a few feet.
This tragic incident marks the second plane crash near the French Valley Airport in the past week. On Tuesday, a pilot lost their life when a single-engine Cessna 172 crashed in the vicinity of the airport.
Both crashes are currently under investigation as authorities work to determine the causes and any potential contributing factors.
How is the local community of Murrieta coming together to support the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event
Confirmed the identities of the victims. The individuals on board the aircraft were identified as the pilot, a co-pilot, and four passengers. The victims’ families have been notified and are receiving support from local authorities and grief counselors.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are currently investigating the crash to determine the cause. Preliminary reports suggest that weather conditions may have been a contributing factor.
Local residents expressed their shock and sadness over the tragic event. The small community of Murrieta is known for its tight-knit community, and this incident has deeply affected its residents.
The French Valley Airport has temporarily closed due to the crash investigation. Airport authorities are working closely with the NTSB and the FAA to ensure a thorough investigation and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel, even in small aircraft. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
Truly heartbreaking news. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this unimaginable tragedy. May they find strength and comfort in this difficult time.