Hotel Execs Perished In Helicopter Crash: Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Though officials still do not know what caused a sight-seeing helicopter to crash one mile away from the John Wayne Airport, three individuals were identified who perished in that collision. Federal investigators will continue what will be a months-long effort to determine what caused the aircraft to come down.

The people who died were identified as Brian R. Reichelt, 56, of Hollywood, Florida; Joseph Anthony Tena, 60, of Newport Beach; and Kimberly Lynne Watzman, 45, of Santa Monica. All were connected to the luxury hotel chain, The Standard, with Tena having a financial stake in the hotels. Waltzman, was the general manager of The Standard hotel in West Hollywood.

"It was an honor to be her brother for my 40 years," Watzman's brother, Ryan, told NBC4. "... I plan on doing my best to honor her and find out what happened."

Ryan Watzman told the station his sister dropped off her dog, Harley, at their parents' house in Marina del Rey Tuesday morning, telling them she was taking a day trip to Catalina Island.

Amar Lalvani, CEO of Standard International, issued a statement saying, "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friends. Our focus now is on supporting their loved ones and our team during this difficult time."

One patient was still listed in critical condition as of Wednesday evening, according to an Orange County Global Medical Center spokesperson.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Joshua Cawthra told reporters Wednesday morning that all three people who died were aboard the Robinson R44 helicopter that crashed about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday near Shearwater Place and Egret Court. A fourth person aboard the helicopter was seriously injured, while a bystander on the ground was also injured.

Witnesses described a plume of smoke as the helicopter plunged to the ground. It appeared to clip the tile roof of one home, then skid along the ground through the residential intersection before smashing into a side wall of another home. The helicopter pushed in a master bedroom wall, and its tail section ended up in a side yard.

Cawthra said the helicopter pilot was killed, along with two passengers. He said there was no known distress call from the pilot prior to the crash.

The helicopter was apparently being flown from John Wayne Airport on a day trip to Catalina Island.

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