Sad stuff here:

When you actually look at the wreckage...

...it's unsurprising that one of the passengers sadly didn't make it:

Former Santa Monica Mayor Rex Minter died when a small plane crashed on the beach just south of the Santa Monica Pier Thursday afternoon, officials confirmed. ...

Minter was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1955 and served as mayor from 1963-1967. He later served as city attorney for Arcadia and a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

"The City is grateful for Mr. Minter's public service and we join his family in mourning his passing, the city said in a news release. "Flags in front of City Hall will be lowered to half-staff and a City Council meeting in the new year will be adjourned in honor of Minter's service."

Minter was reportedly 94 years old at the time of his passing.