A “renowned” California surgeon has been named as the victim of a plane crash in New Mexico, just days after the doctor was killed when his Cessna’s engine failed and he crashed into a house.
Randolph “Randy” Sherman of Los Angeles crashed into the Santa Fe home on Tuesday after his engine failed, causing it to catch fire.
The 72-year-old doctor, a pioneer in the field of microsurgery, took off in his twin-engine Cessna from Santa Fe Regional Airport at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Sherman radioed into air traffic control shortly after takeoff to report that he had lost one of his engines on his way back to California.
The plane crashed into the house in a matter of seconds.
According to a witness, the jet was heading east when it looked to begin turning around before collapsing.
A neighboring neighbor, Marcos Cervantes, said his windows shook as the plane slammed into the house, and he heard “pops” and “whatever was exploding,” according to KOAT.
On Wednesday, Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles honored the late doctor, saying he had “earned a reputation as an internationally renowned surgical innovator” throughout his four decades as a medical practitioner.
The doctor “built premier plastic surgery programs in Los Angeles and traveled the world caring for children with hard-to-treat deformities,” according to the hospital.
“Sherman was a pioneer in the field of microsurgery, as well as a prominent expert in hand surgery and breast and limb reconstruction,” according to a statement from the hospital.
“His many innovative surgical techniques led to remarkable outcomes for reconstruction of previously untreatable birth defects and traumatic injuries.”
While at Cedars-Sinai, where he had been since 2015, he was the vice chair of the Department of Surgery and director of the Division of Plastic Surgery.
Cristina Ferrone, chair of the Department of Surgery at the hospital, said Sherman would be remembered as a “loyal and generous friend and teacher.”
“He will be missed for his contributions to the field of surgery and for his impact on so many of us who benefited from his great talent, leadership, and compassion,” she said in a statement.
Sherman also taught several microsurgeons around the world and took part in Operation Smile, a surgical charity that cares for children with abnormalities in underdeveloped nations.
“His international surgical work was truly a reflection of his deep caring and compassion for his patients,” said Bruce L. Gewertz, chief of surgery at Cedars-Sinai.
According to the hospital, in addition to his medical activities, he was a flight instructor and commercial pilot, as well as an FAA-designated senior aviation medical examiner. In addition, he served on the boards of the Santa Monica Museum of Flying, the Lyon Air Museum, and the American Air Museum.
