Livermore CA Aviation Accident: Belmont Hills couple killed in plane crash

May 13, 2010
3:14 am

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Livermore CA Aviation Accident: Belmont Hills couple killed in plane crash

05/12/2010 // West Palm Beach, Florida, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan

Contra Costa County, CA—An elderly couple suffered fatal injuries in an unfortunate aviation accident Sunday, May 9, 2010. The deadly plane crash occurred just north of Livermore, California, according to information provided by the Mercury News.

Reports stated Oskar and Julia Huber, both experienced pilots, departed for Auburn, Calif. from San Carlos Airport on Saturday night. The Belmont Hills couple frequently traveled to Auburn to visit their son Michael Huber. According to the Huber’s neighbor, Jim Bigelow, “They went to Auburn like you’d go to the grocery store.”

While the Hubers made it to Auburn safely, they were not so fortunate on their way home Sunday morning. Their single-engine Piper aircraft tragically crashed on a grassy hill off Morgan Territory Road in Contra Costa County.

An anonymous individual allegedly heard the crash at 10:30 a.m., and called 911. At approximately the same time, Livermore Airport authorities reportedly lost contact with a small aircraft traveling in its airspace.

Officials discovered the downed plane on the eastern side of the hill. Debris was apparently strewn over a half-mile stretch of the hill, while the aircraft itself was positioned upside-down.

Initial investigations indicated the Piper seemingly smashed into a tree before falling 15 feet below the crest of the hill. Reports also noted rainy weather conditions might have played in a role in the airplane wreck.

The bodies of Oskar, 77, and Julia Huber, 75, were found inside the damaged Piper.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as Piper and Lycoming (the engine’s manufacturer), are expected to conduct a full probe into the fatal aviation accident.