The pilot killed in the crash of a small plane into an industrial building just east of Van Nuys Airport was identified Thursday as a 78-year-old Malibu man.
The plane slammed into the concrete structure around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hart Street and Woodley Avenue, authorities said.
Arthur Newman died at the scene, the coroner's office reported. An autopsy was pending.
Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot was apparently performing "touch-and-go" practice maneuvers at Van Nuys Airport when the crash occurred. The pilot appeared to be making a turn just before the crash.
"The plane was dropping radically," said witness Greg Cross. "I saw it coming, and I'm thinking, 'Oh, my God.'"
Aerial video showed debris from the plane strewn across a parking lot, with much of the fuselage pinned between two brick buildings.
