Police Say No Laws Broken in Air Crash That Killed Two Men and Injured Actor

SANTA PAULA —  Police have concluded that no state laws were violated by the pilots involved in the fatal midair collision in February that injured actor Kirk Douglas.

Police Chief Walter Adair said Wednesday that his department has finished its investigation of the crash between the helicopter carrying Douglas and a small plane as both took off from Santa Paula Airport.

The two aircraft collided Feb. 13, killing two Ventura County men in a Pitts stunt plane and injuring three people in the Bell JetRanger helicopter piloted by Noel Blanc, the cartoon voice of some “Looney Tunes” characters. Veteran pilot Lee Manelski, 46, of Santa Paula and his student, 18-year-old David Tomlinson of Thousand Oaks, were killed.

Adair said his conclusion could change when the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration issue a joint report later this year. The NTSB investigates the cause of air crashes, and the FAA determines whether federal regulations were broken by pilots.

Adair said the agencies have shared much information with police and he does not expect any surprises. County prosecutors said they will not end their criminal review until they have studied the final federal report.