Israeli Actor and Pilot Guy Kapulnik Dies in California Plane Crash

Israeli actor and pilot Guy Kapulnik, 46, was killed along with 33-year-old Taylor Laskey in the crash of a small plane in California on Thursday. Kapulnik, who had been living in Los Angeles in recent years, balanced a career in acting with his passion for flying and flight instruction.

The single-engine Aeronca Champion aircraft, piloted by Kapulnik, crashed in an open area a few miles from the Hesperia local airport in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles. Laskey, from Santa Monica, was a passenger in the plane. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The San Bernardino County Coroner's Office identified Kapulnik as the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, the circumstances of which remain unknown.

Kapulnik had a diverse background. In Israel, he served as an officer in the Air Force's Unit 669 and earned a bachelor's degree in information systems from the Technion. He then studied acting at the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Jerusalem, appearing in Israeli and international productions, including the film "Lebanon."

After moving to the United States, Kapulnik continued his acting career in local productions and became increasingly involved in aviation. He was reportedly working towards his dream of becoming an airline pilot. Students who trained with him expressed their grief, remembering him for his knowledge and stating he would be greatly missed.