Officials ID Utah pilot killed in California crash

Robert Kenner Ellis. Photo: Luminous Family Dental website

FULLERTON, California, April 20, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A Utah man has been identified as the pilot of a Beechcraft B60 Duke airplane that crashed and exploded Thursday at a Southern California airport.

Killed in the crash was 48-year-old Robert Kenner Ellis, a Southern California native who had a residence in Wasatch County. His flight plan indicated he intended to travel from the Fullerton (California) Municipal Airport to the Heber City Municipal Airport.

A tweet from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the pilot’s identity had been confirmed.

“OC Coroner has positively ID’d the victim of last night’s Fullerton plane crash as Robert Kenner Ellis, 48 years old, from Utah,” the statement said. “The crash is being investigated by the NTSA.”

Fullerton Fire officials confirmed to California media outlets that Ellis was alone in the six-seat plane. Records show the same plane was in Provo earlier this week.

KTLA 5 interviewed Ellis’ mother, Sandra Ellis, who reportedly said her son and his wife had purchased a Heber City home in January. Robert Ellis maintained a dental practice in Tustin, California, and commuted once or twice a week.

Sandra Ellis told the TV station that her son’s wife and four sons were comforted by their faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the belief that lost loved ones will be reunited in the afterlife.

Tweet Orange County Sheriffs Office

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