In a heart-wrenching incident late Saturday near the Truckee Tahoe Airport, the tech world mourned the loss of a prominent entrepreneur couple, Liron and Naomi Petrushka. The couple’s demise in a fatal plane crash has left a void in the hearts of many within the Silicon Valley community.
UpWest, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm with which Liron had been a partner since 2012 and later an advisor from 2017, confirmed the tragic news through a poignant social media post on Sunday. Liron and Naomi’s legacy is survived by their three sons: David, Scott, and Jordan, who now face the world without their pioneering parents.
UpWest’s statement highlighted the Petrushkas’ invaluable contributions to the venture firm and the broader entrepreneurial community. Known for their boundless entrepreneurial spirit and generosity, Liron and Naomi were pivotal in achieving many of the firm’s milestones.
Their home, much like their hearts, was always open, serving as a testament to their unwavering support and kindness towards founders and the tech community at large. The firm, alongside many who were fortunate enough to know the couple personally, expressed deep sorrow over this irreplaceable loss.
The circumstances leading to the crash remain a mystery, adding to the tragedy’s weight. On the morning of March 31, at approximately 5:50 a.m., a single-engine plane met with a devastating accident off a residential neighborhood during its landing attempt at the Truckee Tahoe Airport.
The aircraft, originating from Centennial Airport in Colorado, faced its tragic end near Glenshire Drive and Olympic Boulevard, where it crashed into railroad tracks, claiming the lives of the Petrushkas.
Conditions at the time were less than ideal, with moderate snowfall blanketing the Truckee area, significantly reducing visibility to a mere half-mile. However, winds were reported to be light.
The plane, identified by its tail number N960LP and registered to an address in Incline Village, was no stranger to the skies of California and the Western U.S. FlightAware data revealed a history of frequent flights to various destinations, including Camarillo, Portland, and San Carlos, within the last two weeks alone.
The aftermath of the crash saw no reported damage to residential properties, though the impacted railroad tracks required repairs. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have since initiated a thorough investigation to determine the crash’s cause.
As the tech community grapples with this profound loss, the Petrushkas’ memory endures through their contributions to innovation and their unwavering support of the entrepreneurial spirit.
Their departure not only marks a significant loss for their family and friends but also leaves a gap in the fabric of the Silicon Valley ecosystem, where they were revered as much for their professional achievements as for their personal warmth and generosity.