Southampton Business Owner Killed In San Diego Plane Crash

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The owner of a Southampton beach club was killed when a plane in which he was a passenger crashed into a home Saturday afternoon in San Diego.

A post by 27east.com first identified Robert Stelling, 50, of Southampton, as one of two passengers who died after the single-engine, six-seat Beech BE36 Bonanza crashed. Stelling is the owner of the Southampton's Peconic Beach and Tennis Club, the 27east.com report states.

Patch reported that the plane crashed at about 4:30 p.m. in the 6000 block of Chandler Drive near Mt. Abernathy Avenue in the Clairemont neighborhood, according to Sgt. Jordan Wells of the San Diego Police Department.

An employee at the Olde Town Animal Hospital, located on County Road 39A in Southampton, and owned by Stelling's wife, Dawn, confirmed to Patch that Stelling died in the crash.

Four people were in the plane. Two died and two were hospitalized, fire officials said

The wreckage erupted in flames shooting toward the sky. Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles.

CBS affiliate KFMB quoted San Diego Fire-Rescue Department chief Brian Fennessy, who said the plane's pilot reported a catastrophic engine failure shortly after takeoff from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

CBS News reported that although no one was home at the time of the crash, a dog on the property died.

Friends turned to social media to mourn Stelling after his death.

"I've known Robert Stelling since I was 12 and he was truly always the nicest and most genuine person I've known all our lives," wrote Richard Spettell, who said he'd known Stelling since he and his brother were invited to vacation with the Stellings since they were kids. Years later, Stelling showed him photos of those special times, he wrote. "Rest in peace, dear Robert, you were loved by so many. So shocking and tragic and sudden. Prayers for Dawn, the kids and the family."

Raymond Los wrote, "He and his wife Dawn are amazing human beings and valued members of the Southampton community,"

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