Featured
Santa Fe plane crash victim identified: Randy Sherman was renowned plastic surgeon from California
Published
Modified
In an interview for a profile in the Los Angeles Times in 1994, Dr. Randy Sherman called flying romantic and described an airport runway as a 鈥渕agic door.鈥�
Sherman 鈥� a renowned plastic surgeon, professor at the University of Southern California and airplane pilot 鈥� died in Santa Fe on Tuesday when his plane crashed into an empty mobile home about a minute after taking off from the Santa Fe Regional Airport.
Sherman, 72, of Los Angeles, California, was the only one on board his twin-engine Cessna when the left engine failed and the plane crashed shortly after 9 a.m., said Wilson Silver, a spokesman for New Mexico State Police. No other injuries were reported. Sherman was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was on his way to Santa Monica, California, according to flight data. The data also showed Sherman owned the aircraft.
Air traffic tower recordings indicate Sherman reported his engine failed. He was then instructed to turn left and head back to the airport.
In the recording, available at , people in the tower then see black smoke.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.
Sherman a doctor, pilot
鈥淲hen you are out over the Pacific, and the sun is low in the sky, and you are cruising along at 2,500 feet, and the wind is in your face. . . . Well, I mean, what鈥檚 better than that?鈥� in 1994.
A plastic surgeon in California, Sherman has been the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a professor of surgery at USC, according to the university鈥檚 website.
He finished his career at Cedars-Sina Medical Center, where he held several positions, including vice chair of the Department of Surgery and director of the Division of Plastic Surgery.
鈥淩andy was a loyal and generous friend and teacher,鈥� Cristina Ferrone, chair of the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai, said in a statement. 鈥淗e will be missed for his contributions to the field of surgery and for his impact on so many of us who benefitted from his great talent, leadership and compassion.鈥�
Sherman was also a longtime volunteer for Operation Smile and at one point the organization鈥檚 chief medical officer, among other accomplishments.
Angel Flight West, an organization that provides free flights to people in need of medical services, said on Facebook that Sherman was a volunteer pilot and a board member emeritus.
鈥淎ngel Flight West is honored to carry on Dr. Sherman鈥檚 legacy of aviation and health care, bridging the gap between home and health for the patients and families who need us,鈥� a states.
Operation Smile, which serves children all over the world, said in a previous news release that Sherman had led over 50 medical missions to various countries across the world to perform reconstructive surgeries on children.
鈥淩andy was dedicated to improving the lives of his patients, including children around the world through his selfless participation with Operation Smile,鈥� Dr. Bruce L. Gewertz, Cedars-Sinai surgeon-in-chief, said in a statement. 鈥淗is international surgical work was truly a reflection of his deep caring and compassion for his patients.鈥�
In the L.A. Times profile, Sherman鈥檚 wife, Sandi Sherman, told the paper that she was nervous about her husband鈥檚 flying hobby.
鈥淭he flying makes me nervous, but at the same time Randy loves it. How do you take that away from him?鈥� She said in the interview.
It was apparent that he was passionate about flying. According to the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing, Sherman was a commercial pilot and flight instructor rated in single and multi-engine aircraft, floatplanes, helicopters, sailplanes, jets and WWII warbirds.
He was also a member of the board of directors for the Santa Monica Museum of Flying, the Lyon Air Museum and the American Air Museum, according to Ceders-Sinai.
A plane crashed into a residential area near Santa Fe on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Back in 1994, Sherman talked to the L.A. Times about the appeal of flying.
鈥淔or a driven individual, it鈥檚 the perfect kind of hobby, because you can always improve your skills, you can always improve your proficiency, you can always get more into it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not the kind of hobby that you can say, 鈥極K, I鈥檝e mastered this.鈥� 鈥�
