[Los Angeles Times] [Archives] Tuesday, August 19, 1997, Valley Edition, Section: Metro, Page: B-1
Crash Victim Identified as Air Force Flier; Fatality: Experienced pilot Todd Kraska, 24, died Sunday when his plane nose-dived onto a street in Northridge.;
By: JOSE CARDENAS, TIMES STAFF WRITER
A pilot killed when his small airplane plummeted to earth on a busy San Fernando Valley street Sunday was an Air Force first lieutenant who also loved flying as a hobby, authorities said. Coroner officials identified him Monday as Todd Kraska, 24, of Hermosa Beach. "He had a lot of flying experience," said Howard Antelis, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, where Kraska was based. "In fact, I was told it was his experience that allowed him to maneuver the plane so no one [on the ground] was hurt." Kraska had logged at least 700 hours of flying, said Valerie Arruda, an Air Force spokeswoman. He also flew gliders and was a glider instructor while at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
In El Segundo, where he had been stationed for two years, Kraska worked as a systems engineer for the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), which provides strategic information to the Department of Defense.
The cause of the crash, which occurred about 1 p.m. Sunday in the 17300 block of Parthenia Street, has not been determined, said Sheryl Cook, a spokeswoman for the National Transportation Safety Board. She said an investigation into the accident could take up to six months. Kraska ran into trouble just a few minutes after he took off from Van Nuys Airport in the single-engine plane. He radioed "May Day! May Day! May Day!" according to investigators.
Witnesses said the plane was westbound but then banked hard, turning toward the airport before it nose-dived. The plane hit the center of the four-lane street between Balboa and White Oak avenues, sliding 175 yards, according to police. The propeller, engine cowling and other parts were ripped from the fuselage as it slid down the street. Witnesses also reported parts falling from the plane as it lost elevation and unusually loud engine noise. Pieces of the craft were "literally raining down on the neighborhood," said NTSB investigator George Petterson.
There was no fire on impact and no one on the ground was injured, authorities said. No structures were hit. Rescuers spent an hour cutting into the plane to retrieve Kraska, who appeared to have died on impact, according to authorities. By Monday afternoon, Kraska's mother in Texas and his father in Florida had been notified of their son's death, Arruda said.
Descriptors: AIRPLANE ACCIDENTS -- LOS ANGELES COUNTY; ACCIDENTAL DEATHS;
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Permission to post this article was granted on 02 Oct 98.
On October 2nd, the US Air Force Academy Cadet Wing will conduct their annual tribute to graduates who have died in the past year. Among those who will be honored is our very own First Lieutenant Todd Kraska.
In August of last year, Todd was killed in an aircraft accident. The propeller on his private aircraft snapped in two sending him plummeting toward the densely populated city of Van Nuys. Risking injury to himself, Todd regained control of the aircraft in time to steer it clear of residential areas, and successfully landed the aircraft in the center of a four-lane street. Todd was killed in the impact.
In recognition of his bravery and flying skill, the Air Force has approved the award of the Airman’s Medal (Posthumous) to Todd Kraska. The Airman’s Medal is awarded to an Air Force service member, who has distinguished himself by a heroic act, at the voluntary risk of life in a non-combat situation. In order of precedence, it stands just above the Bronze Star.
The Airman’s Medal will be presented to Todd's parents immediately following the Cadet Wing memorial ceremony in the Academy's Honor Garden. Todd’s parents will also be receiving the Joint Service Commendation Medal for Todd’s honorable service to the Department of Defense and a U.S. Flag which was flown over the Air Force Academy. The Commandant of Cadets will preside over the award ceremony, which will be attended by the 8th Cadet Squadron, to which Todd belonged.
Todd was a professional Air Force Officer in every sense of the word--technically bright, physically fit, and focused on the mission. He did everything "to the max", and he was a good friend--the embodiment of all that is DDPO.
The ceremony will take place around 1645 MST on Friday, 2 Oct 98.
Sincerely,
Pat Almazar.