Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Los Angeles, California
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances on the shoreline.
Date: 22-DEC-22
Time: 22:37:00Z
Regis#: N7032X
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 150
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Unknown Injuries
Pax: 1 Fatal Injuries
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: SANTA MONICA
State: CALIFORNIA
Former Santa Monica Mayor Rex Minter
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Former Santa Monica Mayor Rex Minter died when a small plane crashed on the beach just south of the Santa Monica Pier Thursday afternoon, officials confirmed.
The crash happened in shallow surf around 3:15 p.m.
A witness captured video showing the Cessna 150A gradually dropping from the sky, hitting the sand and then flipping over not far from beachgoers.
Minter was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1955 and served as mayor from 1963-1967. He later served as city attorney for Arcadia and a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
“The City is grateful for Mr. Minter’s public service and we join his family in mourning his passing, the city said in a news release. “Flags in front of City Hall will be lowered to half-staff and a City Council meeting in the new year will be adjourned in honor of Minter’s service.”
Two people were onboard the aircraft when the pilot reported engine issues after taking off from the Santa Monica Airport.
The pilot was transported to a local hospital where their condition remains unknown.
No civilians were reported injured on the beach, officials added.
The Santa Monica Fire and Police Departments responded to the scene and were assisted by L.A. County Lifeguards. Firefighters had to partially tow the aircraft out of the surf to prevent it from washing away.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA is expected to release the preliminary results of their investigation in the coming days.










