Composer Lost Control of Plane, NTSB says

A prominent composer whose credits include the theme to "Jeopardy" flew his private plane more than three years ago into a house in Claremont after he veered off course and lost control, according to a final report on the incident by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Steve Kaplan, 54, of Malibu was on his way to Cable Airport in Upland on Dec. 14, 2003, when he crashed his Cessna 421C about 5:30 p.m. in the 200 block of West Monterey Drive, authorities said.

Kaplan, whose credits also include the theme to "Wheel of Fortune," died during the crash.

The NTSB report states, "the pilot became lost/disoriented during the approach, failed to maintain course alignment with the missed approach procedure and subsequently lost control of the airplane."

The pilot did not report having difficulty with navigation nor did he request assistance prior to the crash, according to the report.

Shortly before the crash, a Cable Airport controller informed Kaplan he was flying off course and headed toward mountainous terrain.

Kaplan was instructed to make an immediate left turn in order to head south, according to the report.

The Cessna crashed shortly after Kaplan climbed to 3,300 feet and began to make a sharp left turn.

An inspection of the plane did not turn up any mechanical failures, according to the report.

Kaplan had flown out of Camarillo. He was making the trip in order to rehearse with the Etiwanda High School jazz band.

During an interview with the Daily Bulletin the day after the crash, Kaplan's attorney David Fox said, "It's just a great loss to anyone who knew him. He was just a really decent, kind man."

The NTSB report was released earlier this week.

Staff Writer Jannise Johnson can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] , or by phone (909) 483-9318.

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