Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Ryan Navion B, N37C: Fatal accident occurred September 11, 2020 near Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), Los Angeles County, California

Jim deVarennes (center) and Jill Jeanette Young (right)


This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Van Nuys, California
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 

Yoloa Corp

Location: Van Nuys, CA 
Accident Number: WPR20LA303
Date & Time: September 11, 2020, 15:00 Local
Registration: N37C
Aircraft: Navion 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:

On September 11, 2020, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Navion B, N37C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near the Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

Witnesses reported that the airplane departed to the south and was flying lower than normal. In addition, the airplane started a right turn much earlier than most airplanes. As the airplane started its turn, they heard a "pop" and the airplane made a "hard right" turn. The airplane then descended nose down with the wings at a slight angle as it went out of sight. Shortly thereafter, a plume of smoke was observed. The airplane impacted nose low in a narrow parking lot about ½ mile from the runway surface. The airplane wreckage was contained to a small area between two rows of vehicles. A postcrash fire ensued, and a large portion of the fuselage and aft fuselage were consumed by fire. The engine, cabin area, and wings all exhibited extensive aft crush damage. The empennage was present but exhibited extensive thermal damage.

The airplane has been recovered to a secure location for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Navion 
Registration: N37C
Model/Series: Navion B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: VNY,802 ft msl 
Observation Time: 15:14 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C /1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 120°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 6 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 34.191944,-118.48916
 
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.


Jill Jeanette Young (born October 21, 1956) passed away on September 11, 2020, in Van Nuys, California.

She lived most of her life in the westside of Los Angeles where she attended local schools (Paul Revere and Palisades High) with her brothers Tom and Troy Elander, with whom she shared a special bond. As a Theta at UCLA, she developed her passion for interior design and formed lifelong relationships.

Jill settled down in Pacific Palisades with her husband Ken Young in 1981, where she became a devoted mother to Robbie and Greg, and stepmother to David and Caren Young (Kai, Jasper). She was actively involved in her boys’ lives, watching them play sports at the Palisades Park and participating in the St. Matthew’s community.

Jill started her business, Jill Young Interior Design, in 1997. She transformed numerous homes and spaces with her creativity with the assistance of Maira Ramirez, an extended member of the Young family.

The Bel Air Bay Club was her second home, where members and staff became close friends. Jill loved traveling the world, playing paddle tennis, bocce, and golf, reading a good book, and keeping in touch with loved ones. Recently, she spent many weeks visiting Robbie and his family (Danielle, Weston and Reagan), who moved to Franklin, Tennessee, in 2019.

Jill shared a unique connection with her sons, and the arrival of her grandchildren, Weston and Reagan, initiated a wonderful new chapter. Weston and Reagan captured her heart, and she embraced being their “Nana” with love and enthusiasm.

Jill took pride watching Greg advance in his career and life, and she looked forward to his imminent milestones of adulthood. She helped Greg and his girlfriend Melissa design their new home, where her presence will be felt for years to come.

She enjoyed her final decade with her boyfriend, Jim deVarennes (Kali, Riley, Griffen), whom she loved dearly. Jill will be missed deeply by her broad network of family and friends who loved her joyful disposition, humor and compassion.

Jill is survived by sons Robbie (Danielle) and Greg, grandchildren Weston (4) and Reagan (nearly 2), brothers Tom Elander (Nancy) and Troy Elander (Diane), and nieces and nephew Kara Jill, Holly, Samantha, Annie, and William.

The Young family wishes to express its condolences to the family and friends of Jim deVarennes, who mourn the loss of a father, brother, uncle and friend.

A family service will be held (and streamed live for friends) at St. Matthew’s in early October.

Jill Jeanette Young
October 21, 1956 - September 11, 2020

Jill Jeanette Young passed on from this world far too soon on September 11, 2020, in Van Nuys, California. Though born in San Antonio, Texas, Jill lived most of her life in the westside of Los Angeles. She attended local schools (Paul Revere and Palisades High School) along with her brothers Tom and Troy, with whom she shared a special bond throughout her entire life. As a Theta at UCLA, Jill developed her passion for interior design and formed many transformational, lifelong relationships.

Jill settled down in Pacific Palisades with her husband Ken Young in 1981, where she became a loving, energetic, and devoted mother to her two sons, Robbie and Greg. Jill was actively involved in all facets of her boys' lives, making memories and friendships at the Palisades Park while watching her boys play sports and as an active participant in the St. Matthew's community. As her children grew older, she started her design business, Jill Young Interior Design, in 1997. 

Jill helped transform numerous homes, offices, and country clubs with her elegant design and creativity with the assistance of Maira Ramirez, an extended member of the Young family since 1986.She considered the Bel Air Bay Club her second home, where many members and staff became close friends and further extensions of family. As wonderful years unfolded, Jill loved traveling the world with family and friends (including to her family home on Orcas Island), playing paddle tennis, competing in bocce tournaments, reading a good book, playing golf, and keeping in touch with her wide network of loved ones. In the past few years, she spent many weeks and weekends visiting her son, Robbie, daughter-in-law, Danielle, and grandchildren, Weston and Reagan, in Franklin, Tennessee.Jill shared a deep and unique connection with her sons that encompassed both a parent/child and a best friend relationship. She was both excited for and proud of her son, Robbie, and his family as they embarked on the latest chapter of their personal and professional lives in Tennessee. The arrival of her grandson, Weston, and later her granddaughter, Reagan, and the bond that Jill shared with each of them made her light up from ear to ear. Weston's bright red hair and blue eyes, like his father Robbie's, captured her heart and soul, and she embraced her role of "Nana" to them both with love, devotion, and enthusiasm. Jill also took great pride watching her son, Greg, advance in his career and in life, as she was looking forward to watching him experience imminent milestones of adulthood. She had recently helped Greg and his girlfriend Melissa design their new house, where her presence will be felt for years to come. She enjoyed her final decade with her boyfriend, Jim DeVarennes (children: Kali, Griffen and Riley), whom she loved dearly, as the two lived an adventurous life full of travel and laughs. Jill will be missed deeply by her broad network of family and friends who loved her jovial nature, style, empathy, humor, and compassion. Her loss is felt throughout Los Angeles and elsewhere by numerous people who cherished her friendship. Jill is survived by her sons Robbie (Danielle) and Greg, her grandchildren Weston (4) and Reagan (nearly 2), her brothers Tom (Nancy) and Troy (Diane), and her nieces and nephew Kara Jill, Holly, Samantha, Annie, and William.We wish to express our sympathy to the family and friends of Jim DeVarennes, who also mourn the loss of a father, brother, uncle, and dear friend.A family service will be held (and streamed live for friends) at the Parish of St. Matthew, Pacific Palisades, at a date to be determined in early October.


Jim deVarennes, a long-time resident of Pacific Palisades, sadly passed away on September 11 at the age of 62. He lived a full life, leading with his heart and a zest for family, fun, friends and adventure. He cared about people and had an insatiable curiosity about life, pondering deep philosophical questions and driven to understand life and his place in it.

Born to Nancy and Dick de Varennes, he grew up in the Palisades with his two sisters. He attended St. Matthew’s, Paul Revere and Pali, playing tight end for the varsity football team. A skilled athlete, he was competitive on a paddle or tennis court or an expert gliding down a snowy mountain. He was proud of becoming an Eagle Scout, was the parent of one and a Scout Leader.

He opened a cafe on Montana Ave. while polishing his skills as a builder/roofer and contractor and started his own company, Palisades Roofing. A familiar face around town, Jim repaired or replaced countless roofs in his many years in the business.

He spent time with friends and family at the Bel Air Bay and Jonathan Clubs, on the courts, the beach, or the bar. His long-time girlfriend, Jill Young, shared many of his adventures, and he was slowing down his heavy work schedule to make time for extensive travel with her and his three amazing children. He was a devoted and involved father and loved his children deeply. He and his sisters were a bonded trio and lived near each other in the Palisades for most of their lives.

His passion for flying his single-engine plane brought him great joy and peace. He was flying free, with Jill, above the bonds of earth on the day he tragically passed.

The outpouring of love and sadness our family has received since this tragedy is a testament to him as a human being. He touched many lives, did many good deeds and was well-loved. He will be missed more than words can express.

He is survived by his three children, Kali, Riley and Griffen deVarennes, his sisters Annie deVarennes and Suzanne deVarennes Norton ( Richard) and Michael, Patrick and Meg Norton. We loved him profoundly and will miss his mischievous grin, good heart and his love.

If you would like to donate in his name: The Condors (condorsquadron.org), Operation Gratitude (operationgratitude.com) or Troop 223 (Boy Scouts in Pacific Palisades).

Palisadian Jim deVarennes died in a plane crash on Friday, September 11, in the Van Nuys area.

The 62-year-old pilot was flying a single-engine plane when the crash occurred at 3:04 p.m. in a parking lot in the 6900 block of North Hayvenhurst Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The second victim, who was identified later as Jill Young, grew up in the Palisades and lived in Brentwood at the time of her death, sources close to her shared.

The plane took off from Van Nuys Airport and was headed to Santa Ynez Airport in Santa Barbara County, according to Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Gregor said the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the incident and determine a probable cause, according to a statement.

DeVarennes was a longtime Palisadian, who grew up in the community with his family and two older sisters, Annie and Suzanne.

“The three of us were close, and he was a really good brother … he was a very protective brother,” Annie said to the Palisadian-Post. 

He attended St. Matthew’s Parish, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools.

DeVarennes played youth baseball at Palisades Recreation Center and earned All-Western League football second team honors as a senior wide receiver in 1975 when Palisades went 5-0 in league play under Coach Dick North and finished 9-2, falling to Banning 32-30 in the City 4A quarterfinals.

“Growing up, there was the Little League, and my brother was an Eagle Scout in Troop 223 … he was a star football player at Pali on the varsity team … we were all very involved in the community,” Annie said.

Annie said her brother learned that from their parents.

“My parents, Nancy and Dick deVarennes, were also very involved with the community, and my brother sort of followed suit,” she said. “My dad was a Little League coach … my mom was involved with St. Matthew’s, so he followed in their steps to be involved … and help with the community and do good.

“He had a generous heart, and he was a deep thinker.”

DeVarennes opened a cafe on Montana Avenue years ago, Annie explained, before getting into construction after working on a project for a neighbor and eventually starting his own business, Palisades Roofing and Construction. Annie joked that one could always find him on somebody’s roof in the Palisades.

DeVarennes has three children, who Annie said want to keep the business open.

“After he got into construction for a while and started his company, he learned to fly private planes and got his license when he was around 30 or so, and then eventually got his own plane,” Annie said. “He loved to fly, he loved being above the earth and feeling free … he had a passion for flying.”

Annie also said he had a passion for sports, travel, family and friends: “He had a zest for life and lived it fully.”

As the Post went to print, the Young family was not yet ready to reveal further details about Jill.

Los Angeles County Coroner's Office: https://mec.lacounty.gov



Pacific Palisades residents Jill Young and Jim deVarennes died on September 11 in a single-engine plane crash, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, deVarennes, 62, was piloting a Ryan Navion B from the Van Nuys Airport to the Santa Ynez Airport in Santa Barbara County when the crash occurred.

An eyewitness reported that the aircraft made a steep climb away from the airport and seemed to stall, before crashing into the ground.

Young, who graduated from UCLA in 1978, was the sister of Palisadian Dr. Troy Elander, an ophthalmologist in Santa Monica. She had an interior design business, also in Santa Monica.

DeVarennes owned a local business, Palisades Roofing and Construction. According to the company’s website, Jim initially owned a tree company and was called to assess the roof damage caused by a fallen oak. “After successful removal of the tree, Jim offered to repair the homeowner’s roof as a courtesy. The following day the homeowner’s neighbor asked for a new roofing estimate. After doing some research, Jim submitted a bid, hence PRC’s first job was on the books. What began as a $40 favor has grown into a million dollar business.”

The airplane accident is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.



Officials on Sunday released the name of the 62-year-old pilot killed in a single-engine plane crash just west of the Van Nuys Airport, a crash that also killed his passenger.

The pilot was identified as Jim De Varennes of Pacific Palisades, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office. The name of his passenger, a female, will be released pending notification of next of kin, according to the coroner's office.

The crash occurred at 3:04 p.m. Friday in a parking lot in the 6900 block of North Hayvenhurst Avenue, according to Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

De Varennes and the passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

A witness said the plane made a steep climb, stalled, then nose-dived into the ground.

Preliminary information indicated that the Ryan Navion B plane had taken off from Van Nuys Airport and was heading for Santa Ynez Airport in Santa Barbara County, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's Ian Gregor, who says the plane caught fire after crashing.

The LAFD responded to the scene and put out flames from the crash. No injuries or building damage were reported on the ground, but multiple reports said three vehicles suffered damage.

“The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate,” Gregor said. “The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will determine the probable cause of the accident.”

https://www.nbclosangeles.com

8 comments:

  1. Crashed in parking lot of 7011 North Hayvenhurst. Remarkable that no building, vehicles or people on the ground were hit, considering the buildup density there.

    http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&q=loc:34.197640+-118.493135

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  2. google maps street view @ 34.1976329,-118.4924409

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  3. Video of the crash was just released on "What You haven't seen" YT channel.

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    1. Just saw it. Part of me believes that somehow he managed to avoid the buildings.

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  4. Was that your spleen that believes it? Your pancreas? Which part? Anyway, NTSB found it to be your ordinary stall spin type crash. Nothing found wrong with the pilot’s heath or the aircraft’s systems. Oops, pay attention or lose to gravity.

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    1. It’s an expression of speech and a completely understandable observation given the crash location. Even if it’s most likely there was loss of control all the way to the ground and the spared ground casualties were simply luck, it’s okay to wonder if increasing airspeed recovered just enough rudder or aileron authority to direct that aircraft away from people. Trust me, you’re the only one who thinks your childish comments are cute.

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