Rhode Island man killed in California plane crash with father, dog
The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as 69-year-old Paul Berkovitz and his 36-year-old son, Matthew Berkovitz. (Family photo)
(WJAR) — A small plane crash that killed a father, son, and their dog in a Southern California neighborhood is sending shockwaves all the way to New England, where the victims had deep personal and professional ties.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as 69-year-old Paul Berkovitz and his 36-year-old son, Matthew Berkovitz.
Their family dog, Brody, was also killed when their single-engine Van's RV-10 crashed into two homes in the 200 block of High Meadow Street in Simi Valley just after 2 p.m. on Saturday.
According to the FAA, the plane took off from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was headed toward Camarillo Airport.
Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot’s final moments, in which he reported trouble steering the aircraft. Moments later, the plane disappeared from radar.
Witnesses said the aircraft circled the area multiple times and dipped in and out of clouds before slamming into the homes and bursting into flames.
Officials say both homes were occupied at the time, but residents made it out safely.
One home was red-tagged, and the other was yellow-tagged due to fire and structural damage.
Matthew Berkovitz had local ties to Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
His mother, Cheryl Ferreira, is a longtime employee at Swansea Country Club, which shared this message on Facebook:
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the loss of Matthew Berkovitz, the son of our beloved colleague, friend, and family member Cheryl Ferreira and her husband Mike Devane.
We are devastated by the loss of Matt, who was not only a friend with a quick smile and a willingness to always help but was instrumental in helping enhance Swansea Country Club through his work on the new patio, refinished bar, and the golf operations building.
While your first instinct may be to reach out to Cheryl and Mike, we kindly ask that you respect their privacy during this unimaginably difficult time."
The Berkovitz family also released a statement:
"Our family is heartbroken to confirm the loss of our beloved family members, Paul Berkovitz, his son Matthew Berkovitz (36 years old), and Paul’s dog Brody in the tragic plane crash on Saturday, May 3 in Simi Valley, CA. We want to express our sincere thanks to the Ventura County Fire Department, the Simi Valley Police Department, and all first responders for their swift and heroic efforts at the scene. Paul was a devoted father and husband, a passionate pilot, and a lifelong animal lover. Brody, his loyal companion, was by his side on many of his flights. Matt shared his father’s passion for aviation, and the time they spent flying together brought them both great joy. As we mourn this tremendous loss, we ask, respectfully, that the media and public allow our family to grieve privately. We are awaiting the results of the NTSB investigation that is underway to determine the cause of this tragedy. Our family will not be giving interviews or making further public statements, now or in the future."
Both Paul and Matthew were longtime volunteers with Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit where private pilots use their planes to fly rescue animals from overcrowded shelters to adoptive homes across the country. PAWS New England, a local animal rescue group that frequently coordinates with Pilots N Paws, shared how much their work meant.
“They’re very selfless people who donate not just time, but a significant amount of money to fly animals who can’t help themselves,” said Nick Huckaby, a PAWS New England volunteer.
His wife, Alicia, adding: “This loss is devastating. These pilots are such a vital part of the rescue community, and it’s not a large network. Their absence will be deeply felt by so many people—and so many animals.”
PAWS New England has used Pilots N Paws to fly animals across the country, especially for urgent medical cases and puppies that can’t safely make long-distance ground trips.
Alicia says the organization relies on pilots like Paul and Matthew to do what would otherwise be impossible.
“Their reach wasn’t just geographical—it was deeply personal. These were people who truly made a difference,” Alicia added.
Paul Berkovitz was also the former owner of Bow Wow Bungalow, a popular dog boarding and daycare facility in Burbank, California.
The business released this heartfelt tribute:
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Paul Berkovitz, the former owner of Bow Wow Bungalow, in a recent plane crash in California.
Paul was a passionate advocate for animals and sold Bow Wow Bungalow to pursue his dream of rescuing dogs through aviation. His dedication, compassion, and adventurous spirit left a lasting mark on everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Paul, as well as those mourning the loss of his son, Matthew, and his beloved canine companion, Brody, who were also lost in the accident.
On behalf of Destination Pet and the Bow Wow Bungalow team, we extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, loved ones, and the community he so positively impacted. We are working on a meaningful way to honor Paul’s memory and legacy at Bow Wow Bungalow.
For now, we simply pause to reflect on the remarkable life of someone who truly made a difference."
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are continuing to investigate the incident.
The FAA's preliminary report is expected to be released within 30 days, but a full report could take up to two years to be completed.
