According to Santa Monica city officials, a single-engine jet crash just south of Santa Monica Pier on Thursday claimed the life of a former mayor of Santa Monica.
According to FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor, former mayor Rex Minter was a passenger in the Cessna 150 that overturned after landing on the beach at around 3:15 p.m. The aircraft landed on the beach upside-down.
From the ruins, the pilot was extricated. The pilot’s condition was not immediately known in full.
“The city of Santa Monica mourns the passing of former Mayor Rex H. Minter (1927 -2022) and we send our deepest condolences to his children, grandchildren, family members, and his many friends throughout Santa Monica,” Constance Farrell, a spokesperson for Santa Monica, wrote.
According to Farrell, Minter was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1955 and served as mayor from 1963 to 1967. Later, he held positions as a
judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court as well as city attorney for Arcadia.
In remembrance of Minter’s service, the flags in front of City Hall will be flown at half-staff and the City Council meeting in the new year will be postponed.
The pilot reported engine issues while the aircraft was taking off from Santa Monica Airport, according to the FAA. The accident will be looked into by the organization and the National Transportation Safety Board.
