The Ventura County Department of Airports is providing a follow-up to Tuesday’s press release from the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office identifying the individuals involved in Saturday’s aircraft incident in Simi Valley.
Paul Berkovitz, his son Matthew, and their family dog, Brody, died in Saturday’s accident. Both Ventura County residents, Paul was known by fellow pilots as a skilled and seasoned pilot who was meticulous in the workmanship of his aircraft . Based at Camarillo Airport, Paul was a member of the Camarillo Airport Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 723 and was recognized in 2024 for his support of the annual Wings Over Camarillo Air Show. Paul also flew for Pilots N Paws, a non-profit organization that pairs pilots with missions to rescue and save animals from shelters throughout the country. It was a volunteer gig that hit close to home for Paul who owned and operated Max, Kobi, & Oliver’s Doghouse in Westlake Village.
“Paul was a passionate and caring gentleman,” said Ali Moghaddas, fellow pilot and President of EAA Chapter 723. “He was always available to provide a helping hand.”
This is a significant loss for the local aviation community who, as Moghaddas added, enjoys a “huge camaraderie.”
“Most of us old timers are friends at Camarillo and Oxnard airports,” he said.
The team at the Department of Airports send our heartfelt condolences to the Berkovitz family as well as the Ventura County aviation community and all those affected by this tragic loss.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has jurisdiction over aircraft incidents such as this.