2 Israelis, Canadian Killed After Flight From Ocean City, NJ

The three men in a private plane that left Ocean City, NJ  Municipal Airport late Saturday and died a short time later when the plane crashed near Bowie, Maryland, were identified on Monday as two Israeli nationals and a Canadian citizen.

The Maryland State Police on Monday identified the pilot as 26-year-old Yoav Bomrind of Israel, and the two passengers as David Robinovitz, 19, of Israel, and Elad Neidik, 20, of Canada.

A search-and-rescue operation for a missing private plane ended early Sunday with the grim discovery of the three bodies in the aircraft's wreckage.

The aircraft was flying to Montgomery County Airpark, outside Washington, D.C., when it went down near a residential neighborhood and playground. 

Two Jewish Non-Profits Responded to Crash Site With Local Authorities

On Sunday, ZAKA North America, together with Misaskim of Central Jersey and Misaskim of Baltimore, responded to the crash site, with volunteers from ZAKA and Misaskim working alongside local authorities and emergency agencies.

ZAKA North America is a UN-recognized Israeli humanitarian and emergency rescue organization, which is guided by Jewish values.

Misaskim is a prominent Jewish non-profit organization that provides support to families facing crisis, tragedy, and bereavement.

The groups were there to lend assistance and to ensure that the men's bodies were not left unattended and were buried swiftly.

The response required extensive coordination between multiple agencies, including local law enforcement, medical examiners, aviation authorities, international representatives, and the families of the victims.

ZAKA representatives continue to assist with the arrangements to transfer the niftarim for burial, working closely with all relevant parties to ensure the process is handled with sensitivity and care.

 Plane Could Have Been on Training Flight

The aircraft had taken off from Ocean City, New Jersey, on Saturday night and was en route to Montgomery County Air Park in Maryland when it crashed shortly before midnight, according to the state police.

"Investigators believe the aircraft belongs to a local flight school in Montgomery County. Police believe the aircraft may have been participating in a training flight," according to the statement from the state police.