Pilot Who Was Killed in Crash Is Identified

The dead pilot of a single-engine Mooney Ranger that exploded 500 feet short of the runway at Santa Monica Airport on Saturday has been identified as Jeff Wirgler, 27, of Santa Monica. The identity of his fatally injured woman passenger has not been released.

The identification of the pilot was made by Gary Danforth of Danforth Aviation, who said he sold, maintained and provided storage for the four-passenger craft. The plane hit a utility pole about 5 p.m. while trying to return to the airport just after takeoff. Danforth said Wirgler had owned the plane for about six months.

Santa Monica Airport officials and Danforth said the pilot reported engine trouble before making a 180-degree turn and trying to make it back to the runway. The plane exploded before landing in a residential area near Dewey and Walgrove avenues. No one on the ground was hurt.

Lt. Nils Linder, a coroner’s investigator, said more than $18,000 in cash, in $100 and $50 bills, was recovered from the plane, which was headed to Seattle.