Plane Crash Victims Include Local Teen Pilot

Matt Shope, an 18-year-old flight instructor out of Long Beach and member of the Civil Air Patrol that helps rescue others, was identified Sunday as one of the two teens who perished in a plane crash July 23.

The Riverside County Sheriff Coroner’s office Sunday identified the victims as Shope, who this summer graduated from Los Alamitos High School where he was on the wrestling team, and Pedro Torres, 19, of Pomona.

They were the only people aboard the plane when it crashed and burned July 23 just outside the Cleveland National Forest in Corona.  The crash was reported about 10:30 a.m. in Joseph Canyon, near the 4000 block of Suzie Circle.

It is not yet known which of the two was piloting the aircraft. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said age was not an issue.

Shope died doing what he loved.

He began flying at age 13, solo-piloted a glider at 15, joined the Civil Air Patrol--an auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force--and was a member of the 45th Squadron that performed search and rescue on land and by air. By the time Shope was 18, he operated his own flight school for teens.

On his website advertising his business, Shope shared his passion for flying.

“It was the morning of my 13th birthday, and my parents had not yet given me my birthday gifts! Trying to hold my tongue, I remained patient. And sure enough, instead of the typical birthday lunch with grandpa my parents drove me to the airport where I went for my first flight lesson with my original CFI, Peter Jackson,” wrote Shope. “Although the flight was only an hour around Long Beach, I was hooked on aviation for life.”

Shope will be missed at Los Alamitos High School where he was well known and liked.

“He was just a great young guy. He always worked hard and always followed directions,” said Los Alamitos High School and Biology Teacher Kenny Torres.

Shope was in Torres’ freshman biology class when he expressed an interest in wrestling.

“I was surprised that he came out for it. He was not what you would consider to be aggressive,” recalled Torres. “He was actually pretty shy. He was one of those kids who always did what he was told and never caused trouble in class.”

“He’s gone too soon,” added Torres. “Kids aren’t supposed to die.”

Both teens were found in the wreckage last week, but their identities were withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The small fixed-wing single-engine craft disintegrated upon impact and sparked a fire that scorched an acre of open-space hillside. The plane was destroyed, FAA spokesman Mike Fergus said. According to the FAA Registry, the downed plane was manufactured by American Aviation in 1971, and the engine was manufactured by Lycoming.

The registered owner of the small aircraft is Rays F Inc. out of Carson City, Nevada, according to the FAA Registry.

“There were only pieces left," said Thomas Rosales, whose Corona home looks out over the crash site.

Firefighters quickly put out a one-acre blaze caused by the deadly crash. The cause of the crash is being investigated.

Shope marked his teenage milestones in the cockpit: he had his first flight lesson on his 13th birthday, his first solo glider flight on his 15th birthday, and he flew his private pilot checkride on his 17th birthday. As an 18-year-old chief flight instructor, he shared his passion with other teens devoted to flying.

Though he died young, Shope found his calling at an early age and he found a way to do what he loved.

“I craved aviation throughout my school years and admit that aviation was a huge motivator throughout my middle and high school years,” Shope wrote on his website. “From that first flight with Peter I knew I wanted to be a professional pilot.”  

His family could not readily be reached but donations were being accepted on their behalf at a website called sweetcharityvintagelingerie.blogspot.com. It announced July 26 on the home page:

"Matthew Shope, was killed on Saturday in a plane accident. He was only 18, and a Long Beach local boy. If you would like to help out the family please do: DONATIONS accepted for the SHOPE FAMILY with Paypal or credit card options.

Alfonso contributed to this report.