John Serocki, MD, 61, died after his single-engine plane crashed into a building under construction in Kearny Mesa, Calif., NBC San Diego reports.
The orthopedic surgeon was enroute to his office in Yuma, Ariz., when his plane failed and crashed. A witness told the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Dr. Serocki's plane was flying just above the tree-tops but was not climbing. The plane eventually rolled and crashed.
Two bystanders witnessed the crash and rushed to the scene to see if they could help.
There were no other injuries related to the crash and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what could've caused it.
Dr. Serocki was an orthopedic surgeon at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla (Calif.) and at Otay Lakes Surgery Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
His younger brother Robert Serocki said, "He was a really superior person and anyone would be proud to have him as a brother."
Dr. Serocki participated in several medical mission trips and volunteered frequently at an area animal hospital, his brother said.