Pilot's Unauthorized Night Takeoff Leads to Fatal Catalina Island Plane Crash

The crash killed all five on board after a takeoff without clearance from an unlit airstrip, raising questions about pilot decision-making and airport operations.

The crash involved a twin-engine Beechcraft 95, which took off from Catalina Island's unlit airport after hours, against standard protocol.
Airport officials confirmed that the pilot had arranged for arrival but not for the unauthorized takeoff, which occurred after sunset.
The pilot, Ali Reza Safai, was a former flight instructor who was assisting stranded colleagues from a flight school due to a mechanical issue.
Investigators from the FAA and NTSB are examining the crash site, but the exact cause remains undetermined amidst speculation of spatial disorientation or mechanical failure.
The crash site is located in steep terrain, complicating recovery efforts; all victims have been identified, but the pilot at the time is still unconfirmed.