New York, October 12
According to media reports, a twin-engine plane owned by an Indian-origin cardiologist crashed in the US state of California, killing two people, including a doctor, and causing a fire to nearby homes. It happened and there was devastation.
Sugata Das, who worked as an interventional cardiologist at Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Arizona, was the owner of the small plane, according to the center. However, there is no confirmation whether Das was the pilot at the time of Monday’s crash, CBS/NBC-affiliated TV station KYMA.com reported on Tuesday.
YRMC Chief Medical Officer Bharat Magu said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the news of the plane, owned by local cardiologist Sugata Das, which crashed near Santi (California).”
Magu said, “As an outstanding cardiologist and dedicated family man, Das leaves a lasting legacy. We pray and support his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.”
The accident caught fire near Santana High School in Santi, burning at least two homes, damaging five others and several vehicles, but firefighters were able to put the blaze under control before it spread to other homes.
Another person who died was a UPS employee who was lying on the ground.
UPS confirmed that one of its employees had died during the plane crash. “We are saddened by the loss of our employee, and express our deepest condolences to their family and friends. We also send our condolences to the other individuals involved in this incident and their families and friends.” ABC affiliate KXTV reported, citing a statement released by UPS.
The report said that around 12.30 pm (local time) officials began receiving reports of a plane crashing down in the neighborhood of Greencastle Street.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane was a twin-engine Cessna C340 and crashed around 12.15 pm.
“We don’t know yet how many people were on board,” it said.
The Cessna C340 is commonly used for trading and is pressurized. The aircraft has a seating capacity of six passengers, with two front seats and two rear seats.
Born in a Bengali family, Das grew up in Pune. He was also the director of the Power of Love Foundation, an American non-profit organization involved in helping women and children abroad who are infected or affected by AIDS and HIV, according to its website.
The website said Das, a father of two boys, lived in San Diego and owned a twin-engine Cessna 340 and was an instrument-rated pilot that flew between his home and Yuma. PTI