'Such a great loss': Internet mourns as Israeli tech entrepreneurs Liron and Naomi Petrushka die in California plane crash

NEVEDA, CALIFORNIA: An Israeli couple who made a fortune in the tech industry were killed after their plane crashed in a town near the California-Nevada border on Saturday, March 30. 

Liron Petrushka and Naomi Petrushka’s single-engine Socata TBM9 crashed while they were attempting to land at Truckee Tahoe Airport at around 6.40 pm amid a snowstorm, according to The Guardian. They are survived by three children. 

As per Israeli media, Liron, 57, and Naomi, 58, had been living in California over the last few years.  

Israeli couple's plane crashed close to railroad tracks

According to radio calls obtained by the Sacramento Bee, Liron, who was piloting the aircraft, and radar controllers in Oakland discussed the bad weather for a few minutes while he attempted to negotiate the circumstances.

KCRA reported that even though there wasn't much wind, the snowfall might have reduced visibility to approximately a half-mile. 

The couple’s plane took off from Centennial Airport in South Denver during its ill-fated trip to Truckee, which is 30 miles from Reno, Nevada, as per CBS Colorado.

Susan Bower, who lives near the crash site, told KCRA, "I heard this airplane, but very close right over the house and I was like, ‘Gosh that sounds awfully close.' Seconds later, I could hear a big thud. I knew it went down."

While no residences were harmed, the railroad tracks at the disaster location needed to be repaired. 

"Definitely surprised the plane [was] out in that visibility. We thought for sure it was flying using an instrument," stated Susan’s husband Craig Bower, adding, "There was no visibility at all.”

UpWest, the Silicon Valley company where Liron worked, said in a statement it was "devastated" by the couple’s sudden death. It added, "Our hearts are with the Petrushka family and their sons David, Scott, and Jordan." 

Liron joined the firm as a partner in 2012, eventually assuming his role as an advisor to the fund in 2017. On his LinkedIn profile, he described himself as an experienced software entrepreneur and angel investor.

UpWest further stated, "Liron and Naomi were a significant force in the building and success of UpWest from its inception. They brought their entrepreneurial spirit and generosity to our fund, working with us and our founders on many pivotal milestones. Their home was always open as were their big hearts. We are all heartbroken by this loss." 

Internet mourns Liron Petrushka and Naomi Petrushka's death 

A Facebook user wrote, "May their memories be a blessing," and another said, Heartbreaking." 

A person remarked, "Such a great loss. Thinking of you all." Someone else expressed, "My heart sank as I saw the headlines, even before I read their names. May their memories be a blessing. Sending love, and especially to David, Scott and Jordan." 

"I am sorry to read about the loss of the two dynamic people. Condolences to his sons, your company, and the community they touched," stated an individual. 

One more noted, "My prayers go out to their children, how devastating to lose both parents in such a tragic accident! RIP." "They were amazing people," shared another person. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.