Short Bros. PLC S312 TUCANO T Mk 1 CRASH-One Fatal

[Doug Robertson]

The aircraft that took the life of noted music composer James Horner on 22 June 2015 has been identified as N206PZ. The crash was near the intersection of Ventura County, Kern County and Santa Barbara counties in Southern California, a remote area. He fueled the aircraft (based there) at Camarillo Airport CMA at 0810 that day and did not file a flight plan. I have had some concern since the accident as I have photographed N208PZ, a like aircraft at CMA several times and not until finding the NTSB Preliminary report today did I determine the true aircraft that crashed.

Horner, age 61 was a brilliant composer who wrote for over 150 films, most notably getting two Oscar awards for the movie "Titanic" theme music. Other notable films with his music were "Star Trek II", "Aliens", "48 Hours" and "The Wrath of Khan". He also wrote "best song" music one year for Celine Dionne.

The NTSB Preliminary report is: WPR15FA195 of 22 June 2015. Please see that for more information.

There are no photos of N206PZ on this site as I write this, but several of N208PZ will show a sister aircraft in better days.