JET SKIDS WILD AT VAN NUYS; LANDING MISHAP SMASHES PLANES, SPLASHES FUEL NEAR HOMES.

Byline: Greg Gittrich and Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writers

A corporate jet skidded out of control while landing on the main runway of Van Nuys Airport on Tuesday afternoon, crushing four smaller planes parked in its path and spilling hundreds of gallons of fuel just yards away from nearby apartments.

The pilot and co-pilot, as well as a flight attendant and the only passenger aboard the 1971 Gulfstream II, escaped without injury but were visibly shaken after the incident, airport officials said. The identities of the plane's occupants were not released.

The crash prompted renewed warnings of the dangers of jet traffic at Van Nuys.

``These (Gulfstream II jets) take off high and fast and an airport (like Van Nuys) is just not suitable when you're surrounded by tens of thousands of residents,'' said Homeowners of Encino President Gerald Silver, a leading critic of Van Nuys Airport operations.

``It may be convenient for the corporate executives on the planes, but as far as a practical matter and for the local residents, it doesn't make any sense.''

The 79-foot, 11-passenger jet, which is owned by Trans Exec Air Service of Van Nuys, landed at 1:10 p.m. on Runway 16 Right. The jet screeched to a halt against a chain-link fence only a few yards from Vanowen Street. A golf driving range and an apartment complex are located across the street.

At least 25 Los Angeles city firefighters, hazardous materials workers and paramedics rushed to the scene at the south end of the airport and quickly cordoned off the area. No injuries were reported, and the airport remained open for incoming flights.

More than 300 gallons of fuel from the damaged single-engine planes spilled onto the runway and an additional 600 gallons of fuel remained in the jet, said Bob Collis, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.

Firefighters covered the crash scene with white foam to prevent the fuel from igniting. Rescue workers also erected several small mounds of dirt around the perimeter of the crash to prevent fuel from running onto the street. The fuel did not ignite at any point.

``This is probably the most fearful experience that a pilot can make in trying to have enough runway to stop their aircraft,'' said Capt. Steve Ruda, an LAFD spokesman. ``Fortunately, minimal damage was done. The chain-link fence probably had a major role to play in arresting (the plane).''

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the cause of the crash Tuesday night. Jerry Johnston, an FAA operation officer, said the jet blew several tires before smashing into the parked planes.

Santa Clarita resident Richard Guluzza, 57, counted his blessings for not being inside his Piper Archer II plane, which was destroyed 30 minutes after Guluzza checked on the plane during his lunch break.

``It's my baby, it's part of the family,'' said Guluzza, as he snapped Polaroid shots from the rooftop of a nearby building. ``We have a lot of memories with that plane. It's pretty sad.''

Guluzza's insurance agent, who witnessed the crash from a building across from the runaway, said the $67,000 plane was totaled and described the crash as it unfolded.

``(The pilot) was out of control before the tires blew,'' said broker Joe Susfolk, owner of Joe Susfolk Aviation Insurance. ``I was jumping up and down on my feet and screaming.''

No official damage estimates were available, and officials from Trans Exec could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

The jet was coming from an unidentified New York airport and had touched down briefly in Colorado, airport officials said.

Airport Manager Ronald Kochevar could not recall any aircraft having crashed so close to the edge of the runway, but defended the airport's safety record.

``We have an excellent safety record,'' Kochevar said. ``It's the safest and the No. 1 busiest airport based on operations.''

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