Marina Del Rey pilot dies in Sylmar plane crash

(FOX 11/CNS) - A 55-year-old pilot flying alone in his Beechcraft A36TC aircraft was killed Sunday when his plane crashed in a field in Sylmar near the Golden State (5) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The crash that claimed the life of Scott Watson took place near 12600 Encinitas Avenue in Sylmar, east of the Golden State (5) Freeway, about 1:50 p.m., according to fire department spokesman Brian Humphrey and the coroner's office.

Traffic was delayed on the northbound 5 and 405 freeways north of their northern merge, as the crash was visible form the freeway, and numerous motorists stopped to render aid.

There was no fire after the crash. No structures were damaged and firefighters managed to extricate Watson from the plane before he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The plane was registered to Watson, a Marina del Rey resident, according to emergency transmissions from the scene.

The plane was manufactured in 1980, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The cause of the crash near the Van Nuys and Whiteman airports was not immediately known.

The crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA.

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