An actor and flight instructor has been killed alongside his passenger after their small plane plummeted into a field.
Guy Kapulnik, 46, was piloting the single-engine aircraft when it crashed near Hesperia Airport in California, US.
The Israeli actor died alongside passenger Taylor Laska, 33, with both pronounced dead at the scene.
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The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office has formally identified Kapulnik, of Los Angeles, as the pilot and Laska, of Santa Monica, as his passenger, as reported by Need To Know..
Emergency crews were called to the area of Summit Valley Road and Telephone Canyon Road at 9:53am on Thursday (24 Sep) following reports of an aircraft crash.
They discovered the light aircraft in a brush-covered field.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the plane as a single-engine Aeronca Champion.
It was reportedly owned by Midfield Aviation, a flight school and aircraft rental company based at nearby Apple Valley Airport.
Kapulnik worked as a flight instructor in Los Angeles after previously forging an acting career in Israel.
He appeared in a string of films and TV productions, including the acclaimed 2009 war film Lebanon.
The movie, directed by Samuel Maoz, won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Kapulnik also appeared in the 2012 Israeli drama Room 514.
He later moved to the US, where he pursued his passion for aviation.
According to Israeli reports, Kapulnik had been fascinated by flying from a young age and obtained his private pilot’s licence in 2015.
He went on to become a commercial pilot and flight instructor.
His former acting agent Zohar Jacobson paid tribute following his death.
She said: “Guy was a talented actor and an extraordinary person.
“He was intelligent, sensitive and modest, with a huge heart.”
Kapulnik reportedly moved to Los Angeles with his family several years ago.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
Little has been made public about Laska.
Authorities have confirmed she was a 33-year-old Santa Monica resident, but her relationship to Kapulnik and the purpose of the flight have not been disclosed.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
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