Updated April 9, 2026 – 6:47 PM (New York time)

Two people were killed after a single-engine plane crash on Catalina Island, California.

The two-seat Sling aircraft crashed around midday in the southern part of the island, near Salta Verde Point. Rescue teams confirmed that both victims died at the scene.

Information from the Los Angeles County Fire Department stated that an emergency signal was recorded at approximately 12:23 PM. Upon reaching the scene, rescue crews found the aircraft in remote terrain, a serious incident reminiscent of recent light aircraft crashes recorded in recent times.

Catalina Island has a runway located on a mountaintop at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet, often referred to as the “Airport in the Sky.” It is currently unclear whether the plane was taking off or attempting an emergency landing there before the crash.

Local officials extended their condolences to the families of the victims while acknowledging the rescue teams’ efforts in reaching the difficult area, a situation requiring the skill of a pilot handling an engine failure to minimize damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have opened an investigation to clarify the cause of the accident.

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