Two Men Killed in Plane Crash on Catalina Island

Two men were killed Thursday afternoon when their small plane crashed into a remote ravine on the south side of Catalina Island, off the Los Angeles County coast, authorities confirmed.

The victims were identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office as Daniel Sarner, 51, and Robert Cox, 54. The single-engine, two-seat Airplane Factory Sling, a 2014 model, departed from Zamperini Field in Torrance at 10:53 a.m. and was last tracked near Avalon at 11:13 a.m., according to flight data. It went down around 12:30 p.m. southwest of the island's main city, in rugged terrain several miles from Avalon. Officials noted no indication the pilot planned to land on the island.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies and fire crews responded promptly to reports of the crash, navigating steep, brush-covered slopes to reach the site. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. "This is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes the island. "I am grateful to our paramedics and Sheriff's deputies who quickly reached this remote area and are handling this incident with...