LOS ANGELES -- Medical examiners using dental charts Saturday identified three people killed in the crash of a small plane that slammed onto a busy thoroughfare yards from a crowded ice cream parlor.
The victims of Friday's crash were identified as Don Morgan, 44, a 20-year Fire Department veteran; his daughter, Michelle, 17; and her boyfriend, Joseph Bagley, 19.
The three were reportedly headed to Santa Catalina Island when they took off from Torrance Municipal Airport, about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
Witnesses said the plane lost power moments after take off, suddenly made a sharp turn, then nosedived into the southbound lanes of the roadway, a short distance from a sprawling shopping center.
The plane was engulfed in flames, which shot 100 feet into the air and incinerated those aboard the aircraft. Medical examiners said the bodies were so badly burned, dental records were the only means of confirming the victims' identities.
Police Lt. Larry Robinson said he could not believe no one on the ground was hurt when the Cessna 170 Cardinal crashed.
'It was just a miracle,' Robinson said. 'That's a very busy street, but there was just nobody right there fortunately.'
James Woodruff, 21, an assistant manager at the Farrell's ice cream parlor about 100 from the crash site said 'there was an explosion and a wall of flame.'
Another employee, Kim Booth, said there was 'panic but not pandemonium' as most of the patrons ran outside, some to look at the burning plane and some to get away.
Among those who escaped injury were a group of children who were having a birthday party around a table next to the front window. A man who was videotaping the party turned his camera on the crash and the film was shown on evening newcasts.
Federal aviation investigators Saturday continued their investigation into cause of the crash.
