Tragic Loss: Father and Son Animal Rescue Pilots, Paul and Matthew Berkovitz, Killed in Southern California Plane Crash Alongside Beloved Dog, Brody

Tragic Loss: Father and Son Animal Rescue Pilots, Paul and Matthew Berkovitz, Killed in Southern California Plane Crash Alongside Beloved Dog, Brody

Southern California — In a devastating and heartbreaking incident that has shaken both the aviation and animal rescue communities, father and son Paul and Matthew Berkovitz tragically lost their lives in a small plane crash earlier this week. Accompanying them on what would be their final mission was their beloved dog, Brody, who also perished in the accident. The trio was inseparable in life and heartbreakingly united in death.

Paul and Matthew Berkovitz were not only experienced pilots but also deeply devoted volunteers for Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit organization that connects volunteers in aviation with rescue shelters and fosters to transport animals in danger. The two had spent years flying across the country to save animals from overcrowded shelters, helping to give them a second chance at life. Their efforts helped rescue countless cats, dogs, and other animals from the brink of euthanasia, delivering them into the arms of loving families and no-kill rescues.

Their missions weren’t about accolades or recognition—they were driven purely by compassion, conviction, and a shared love for animals. The skies were their avenue of service, and their aircraft was a vessel of hope for the voiceless. With every mission, the Berkovitz men showed the kind of quiet heroism that often goes unnoticed in the world—but not by the animals or the lives they touched.

Those who knew Paul and Matthew speak of their infectious kindness, selfless spirit, and the strong bond they shared as father and son. Their love for animals was matched only by their love for each other and their faithful companion, Brody. Brody was more than just a pet—he was a part of their team, faithfully joining them on flights, comforting nervous animals, and providing loyal companionship throughout every rescue journey.

The crash, which occurred during what was reportedly a routine transport mission, has left the community in shock. Fellow pilots, animal rescue volunteers, friends, and family are mourning the enormous loss. Tributes have poured in across social media, with many sharing stories of how the Berkovitz duo saved animals that would have otherwise never made it out of high-risk shelters alive.

“Paul and Matthew were two of the kindest souls we’ve ever worked with,” one Pilots N Paws volunteer wrote. “Their loss is immeasurable—not just to our organization, but to the animals and people whose lives they forever changed.”

Local shelters and rescue groups echoed this sentiment, with some referring to the Berkovitzs as “guardian angels with wings.” The skies they once soared through in the name of compassion now seem a little emptier.

This loss is not only deeply personal to those who knew them, but also symbolic of the fragile, beautiful work carried out by volunteers across the world who give of themselves—quietly, consistently, and courageously. Paul and Matthew Berkovitz embodied that spirit. In life, they flew for the voiceless. In death, they leave behind a legacy of compassion that will continue to inspire.

Our hearts go out to the Berkovitz family, their friends, and the vast community of animal advocates who feel this loss so keenly. We also honor the memory of Brody, their devoted canine companion, who was with them until the very end.

May Paul, Matthew, and Brody rest in peace, reunited in the skies above, watching over the animals they so deeply cared for. Their love took flight—and will never be forgotten.