Former gameshow host Peter Tomarken dead in plane crash

[Sirrich3]

At least two people were killed this morning when a small plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean near the Santa Monica Pier, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office identified the two victims whose bodies were recovered as Peter Tomarken, 63, of Los Angeles, and his wife, Kathleen Tomarken, 41. Searchers continued to look for a third passenger.

Peter Tomarken was an actor and former host of the 1980s game show "Press Your Luck." .

The 1973 Beechcraft 36 went into the water about 9:36 a.m., shortly after takeoff from Santa Monica Airport.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...home-headlines

[ialsohaveadream]

Wow, when I read the thread title, I was like, "I wonder if it's the guy from the no whammies show!" Turns out, it is.

[zero2dash]

Holy crap dude
I can't believe he died
That was one of my favorite game shows growing up; I still watch it on GSN sometimes (Game Show Network).
Wow...
RIP Peter Tomarken

[Nija]

I wonder if he was saying 'No Whammy' right before he hit the water

[kgsilvas]

They were on a mission of mercy. RIP Peter & Kathleen Tomarken

Link: Plane's Engine Faulted in Crash
Preliminary report tells of mechanical damage in accident that killed game show host, wife. By Jason Felch, Times Staff Writer March 20, 2006

Engine failure was the likely cause for the crash of a single- engine plane off the coast of Santa Monica on March 13 that killed former television game show host Peter Tomarken and his wife, Kathleen, according to a preliminary investigative report.

Tomarken, 63, was piloting his 1973 Beechcraft A36 on a voluntary medical mission when he reported engine trouble shortly after takeoff and attempted to return to Santa Monica Airport.

Beachgoers reported seeing the plane splash into the ocean just south of the Santa Monica Pier minutes later.

The preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates plane crashes, describes extensive damage to the plane's six-cylinder engine, including an 8-inch-by-6-inch hole in the engine case between two of the cylinders.

The six-seat aircraft had lap belts but no shoulder harnesses, the report found.

"It seems very clear this will be considered a mechanical failure of the engine," said Robert Ditchey, an aeronautical engineer from Marina del Rey who reviewed the preliminary report and has investigated crashes in the past.

"It's way too soon to guess what the initial failure was, though it seems to be the connecting rod in the No. 2 cylinder."

It is not unusual for an engine to fail, Ditchey said, and pilots of single-engine aircraft should always be cautious of flying over water.

"You want to be able to glide to a safe landing," said the former Navy pilot and airline executive. "If you're at 400 feet, you only have a few seconds."

Tomarken's plane was seen by a Santa Monica lifeguard about 400 feet above the water, descending rapidly, the report states.

When the plane crashed seconds later, it was still about 250 yards offshore, in about 20 feet of water, the investigation found.

Tomarken and his 41-year-old wife were en route to San Diego, where they were scheduled to pick up a patient for transport to UCLA Medical Center. The trip was part of the volunteer program Angel Flight, which provides flights to those unable to afford medical transportation.

Tomarken had volunteered for the group since August, after a long career in television that included being the host of several game shows in the 1980s. The most popular, "Press Your Luck," was known for the pesky cartoon character "Whammy" who taunted contestants.

[eSDee]

As sad as it sounds, at least he and his wife died together.