Two men found dead in the wreckage of a small plane that crashed in a remote area of Southern California Friday have been identified.
Pilot David Martz, 58, and passenger Birger Greg Bacino, 56, both from San Diego, were in a single-engine Cessna 182 heading from Lompoc in Santa Barbara County to McClellan-Palomar Airport in San Diego County when it crashed in a remote area of the Los Padres National Forest near the Don Victor Trail.
The plane took off from the San Luis Obispo Airport at approximately 9 p.m. before the pilot apparently made a mayday, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Ian Gregor says the pilot reported loss of engine power about 18 miles northeast of Santa Barbara.
The plane was spotted early Friday on a mountainside 30 to 40 miles north of Ojai.
Martz was hired by Bacino to fly him to a business meeting in San Luis Obispo, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s officials said.
Melissa, a close friend of the Martz family tolkd NBC 7 she can't believe that he is dead.
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"Dave lit up a room. He was passionate about life, flying, and water skiing. He adored Lydia and his kids," said the friend.
His passenger, Bacino, was the owner of a healthcare company called Mutual Alliance.
In 2009, Martz had his license revoked for allowing adult film actress Puma Swede to perform oral sex on him while he flew over San Diego. In 2010, he told NBC7 he has successfully passed the helicopter pilot's license test and was fully licensed.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the incident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
