Long Beach plane crash claims community leaders, member of founding Bixby family
The five victims of a fiery plane crash Wednesday at the Long Beach Airport included local land developers, community leaders and a member of the city’s founding family.
Thomas Fay Dean, 50, was a local real estate investor who owns much of the Los Cerritos Wetlands in the southeastern part of the city. He and his business partner Jeff Berger, who also died in the crash, had worked together on a controversial land swap with the city last year.
Mark Bixby, 44, was a commercial real estate developer whose family in the 19th century began developing Rancho Los Cerritos into what would become Long Beach.
Active in the Rotary Club and other civic organizations, Bixby was passionate about cycling. He had been advocating to put a bike lane on a new bridge over the Port of Long Beach. He is survived by his wife, Theresa, and their three children.
Mike Jensen, 51, the lone survivor of the crash, remains in critical condition at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Jensen is president of the Long Beach-based real estate company Pacific Retail Partners and lives on Naples Island in Long Beach with his wife, Diane, and three daughters.
Just hours before the crash, Mark Bixby had gone on an early morning bike ride to Huntington Beach with 20 other cyclists. He told friends that he and his boss, Jensen, were flying to Park City, Utah, later in the morning to go skiing for a few days.
“We were talking about what we always talk about: bicycle advocacy and getting a bike path across the Gerald Desmond Bridge,” he said.
“Mark was one of the most incredible people that I've ever known,” Crawford said. “He was fun, vivacious and, most of all, he was giving. He was so generous with his time and talents. His presence will be incredibly missed.”
The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air plane ignited in a ball of flames on departure from the airport around 10:30 a.m., said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.
"We are deeply saddened by this event," Airport Director Mario Rodriguez told reporters at the scene. "This is the last thing any airport director wants to see."
The turbo prop plane had just taken off and was circling to return to the airport when it crashed.
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-- Tony Barboza in Long Beach
Photos: Mark Bixby, left, was killed in Wednesday's crash. Mike Jensen, right, was critically injured. Credit: Pacific Retail Partners
EDITOR'S PICKS:
thats too bad about the victims...the bixby family ...wow when you open the history books about long beach you will see the bixby name
Posted by: 562vert | March 16, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Rest in peace...my prayers and thoughts are with the families as they cope with this tradegy.
Posted by: Valerie | March 17, 2011 at 08:11 AM
They died too young but really lived great lives. RIP.
Posted by: Jack Straw | March 17, 2011 at 08:53 AM
I am a pilot with 7 ratings. The Beech King Air is likely the most reliable plane in the air. I am so curious to know why it went down.
Posted by: Stephen | March 17, 2011 at 09:14 AM
so sad, I shall pray for this family.
Posted by: Colin | March 17, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Our prayers go out to those who lost their lives in this tragic accident. My thoughts are also with the families of the victims. Long Beach lost part of its' history yesterday, and it's saddening that we are now without these great men.
Posted by: Kristine of Long Beach | March 17, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I got my private license at LB airport. Once you get airbourne, nothing but houses below. Only chance is to return to the field. Good engine has to be feathered quickly. Thankful the pilot was able to at least get it back as far as he did and away from residential.
Posted by: ID42 | March 17, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Mike was at CB (the original Coldwell Banker Commercial) when I was and I remember when Pacific Retail Partners was formed . We completed a Wild Oats market deal in Pasadena a few years later after he left CB (it's a Fresh and Easy now) A great guy,knowlegable, honest, totally up front...God speed Mike..I know you'll recover.
Posted by: David E | March 17, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I hadn't realized that Mike is recovering after the crash. We are praying for you Mike!
Posted by: Chris of LBC | March 17, 2011 at 07:08 PM
My prayers to all those affected by this tragic accident. We knew the pilot who was a great guy. He was always happy and a very good friend. He is survived by his lovely wife and his two year old daughter. Words cannot express the deep pain in our hearts. I'm sure his reasons to circle around the airport were to save other lives. We are devastated with the news and the families and friends of the victims will remain in our prayers.
Posted by: Francis G. | March 18, 2011 at 05:29 AM
Mark Bixbywas one of those people who touched lives as he went about his day. I sold him a piece of land a few years back and had wonderful conversations with him. He was all about others, never full of himself, and really real. My prayers are for him and his family.
Posted by: Julaine | March 18, 2011 at 02:16 PM