Five siblings were orphaned after their parents died when a private plane crashed 500 feet from a runway in California, prompting loved ones to launch a fundraiser for the children following the heartbreaking tragedy.
Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, a Marine Corps veteran, and his wife Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, were killed Saturday morning when their Cessna C550 plane crashed while approaching French Valley Airport between Los Angeles and San Diego, causing it to explode in a giant fireball.
The mother and father were flying home from a business trip in the early hours of the morning when the pilot warned air traffic control that he could not see the runway in heavy fog.
“These children not only lost one of their parents, but they lost both, which breaks my heart,” Monique Bettencourt, a family friend, wrote on the family’s account. GoFundMe page, adding that the children ‘had taken away the whole world’.
She added: “They were amazing parents to five beautiful children they left behind, Caleb 14, Alexandria 11, Manny 8, Alberto 3 and Avi 1.”
Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, and Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, died in a plane crash Saturday morning. They are pictured with children Caleb 14, Alexandria 11, Manny 8, Alberto 3 and Avi 1.
Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, a Marine Corps veteran, and his wife Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, died Saturday morning when their Cessna C550 plane crashed.
The Cessna C550 plane crashed as it approached French Valley Airport between Los Angeles and San Diego, causing it to explode in a giant fireball.
Launching the fundraiser, which has raised close to $25,000 so far, Monique confirmed that all the money would go to Abigail’s sister, who now cares for all five children.
“I’m hosting this fundraiser for her five children in which the funds will go directly to Abigail’s sister, Alejandra Treviño,” Monique wrote.
‘She will take full custody of her children and raise and love them as her own.
“No child should have to face this kind of tragedy. Pray for his children and family members during these devastating times.”
The family friend said the “unexpected passing”, which also bereaved four others on the plane, had “shocked many people”, adding that “they will be missed by many, especially their children”.
Monique said the money raised through the GoFundMe page will help Abigail’s sister, Alejandra, who will “take the children to love and care for them.”
‘The financial burdens that come with an unexpected loss can be overwhelming. Any money donated will go to Abigail’s sister to help support her children.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time.”
‘Any donations will be sincerely appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please keep him in your prayers.’
Friends said: “They were amazing parents to five beautiful children they left behind, Caleb 14, Alexandria 11, Manny 8, Alberto 3 and Avi 1.”
Launching the fundraiser, Monique confirmed that all the money would go to Abigail’s sister, who now looks after all five children.
Manuel Vargas-Regalado and Abigail Tellez-Vargas were flying home from a business trip in the early hours of the morning when the pilot warned air traffic control that he could not see the runway.
Riverside County Sheriff Coroner Chad Bianco confirmed the names of four other people who died in the crash Saturday morning: pilot Riese Lenders, 25; and passengers Lindsey Gleiche, 31; Alma Razick, 51; and Ibrahem Razick, 46.
Twice on Saturday morning, the plane attempted to land on the French Valley Airport strip, crashing on second approach. The plane had taken off from Harry Reid International in Nevada.
Elliott Simpson, an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, told a news conference that a “marine layer” of fog, common on the southern California coast, had descended on the runway.
“The pilot informed air traffic control that he was going to make a missed approach, which usually happens when the pilot can’t see the runway,” Simpson said.
Flight Aware flight tracking information shows the twin-jet aircraft ditched its first attempt at an altitude of less than 1,600 feet and a speed of around 170 mph.
It then turned around and attempted to land a second time. The plane crashed about 500 feet from the planned runway, about 58 minutes after takeoff.
This caused the aircraft to be completely consumed by fire when it hit the ground. The resulting fire ignited an acre of vegetation before crews could put it out.
The fire ignited an acre of vegetation before crews could put it out.
The plane crashed about 500 feet from the planned runway, about 58 minutes after takeoff.
The Cessna C550 plane crashed as it approached French Valley Airport between Los Angeles and San Diego, causing it to explode in a giant fireball.
Flight Aware flight tracking information shows the plane aborted its first landing before turning back to make a failed second attempt.
The incident occurred at the French Valley Airport in Murrieta in Riverside County, California.
French Valley is an airport in the foothills north of San Diego at an elevation of about 1,350 feet.
The accident was the second fatal incident at French Valley Airport in less than a week: On Tuesday, a single-engine Cessna 172 crashed in the parking lot shortly after takeoff, killing one of four people on board.
The plane was being piloted by a father who was flying with his three children. He died and the children survived.
In November 2021, a pilot died on a hillside near the airport after his Zodiac plane crashed. When officers arrived, they found the man, the sole occupant of the plane, dead inside the plane.
