WOYAICH, Robert T.

WOYAICH, Robert T. (19 -1960), plane passenger was killed when the Cessna 175 he was in went into the sea. Also killed was pilot Howard Holder.

In the News~

May 12, 1960 [The Catalina Islander]: “Two lost as light plane falls in channel. A tragic airplane accident marred the charm of a beautiful spring weekend for the folks who go down to the sea in boats and take to the air for their recreational activities. According to the reports which have come in from a variety of sources, just before noon on Saturday, May 7, a light single engine Cessna 175 was observed flying precariously close to the water in the area north and east of the western tip of Catalina. One theory advanced by boatmen in the channel at the time was that a bank was made so close that a wing tip struck the water. Pilot of the plane was Howard Holder, 34, of Rolling Hills. The name of his companion was not available. Holder's body was picked up by the Miss Betty, a boat operated by Shell Oil Company out of their Catalina Harbor base. Yachts in the area began sending out "May Day" signals, it is reported, about 12:30 and by 1:30 the Coast Guard was on the way to the scene. Coast Guard surface boats and planes joined in the search for possible survivors although the plane sank immediately. Navy helicopters and private boats also joined in the search. The Civil Aeronautics Board immediately organized an investigation. Doug Bombard of Santa Catalina Island Co. Cove and Camp Dept. was contacted by the Coast Guard and the Island facilities were placed at the disposal of the searchers. According to Robert Seeker of Catalina Airport the ill-fated plane had not been at the mountain top airport and had not been in radio contact with them although a large number of private planes had landed there during the busy weekend.”