Guy Kapolinik, an Israeli actor, pilot and flight instructor, was killed last weekend when the small plane he was flying crashed in San Bernardino County, California. He was 46.
Kapolinik, originally from the community of Karmei Yosef and a resident of Los Angeles in recent years, died in the crash along with a woman who was with him in the aircraft.
The single-engine plane went down Thursday morning around 10:00 a.m. in an open area. Emergency crews arriving at the scene pronounced both occupants dead. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash; no official cause has been released.
As word of his death spread, students and friends began posting emotional tributes, describing a beloved instructor who taught them not only the fundamentals of flight but a love for aviation itself.
Kapolinik brought a varied background to his work: he served as an officer in the 669 rescue unit, held a degree in information systems from the Technion, and graduated from the Nissan Nativ acting studio in Jerusalem. In Israel, he appeared in a string of prominent films including "Lebanon," "Room 514," "Salsa Tel Aviv" and "Keep Me Safe," alongside theater work.
