Small Plane Crashes into Southern California Building, Leaving 2 Dead and 19 Injured
FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) — A small plane crashed into a furniture manufacturing building in Southern California on Thursday, killing two people and injuring 19 others. At the time of the crash, over 200 workers were inside the building, police confirmed.
The fatalities are believed to have been individuals onboard the plane, while the injured were inside the structure. Eleven of the injured were hospitalized, and eight were treated at the scene. Authorities are withholding the identities of the deceased until their families are notified, according to a statement from the Fullerton Police Department.
The plane, identified as a single-engine, four-seat Van’s RV-10, crashed less than two minutes after taking off from Fullerton Municipal Airport, approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Disneyland, as reported by FlightAware.
Surveillance footage from a nearby wheel manufacturer, Rucci Forged, showed the aircraft tilting on its side before it struck the building, resulting in a fiery explosion and thick black smoke.
Firefighters and police quickly arrived, extinguishing the flames and evacuating nearby businesses, Fullerton police spokesperson Kristy Wells said.
Witness Reports and Pilot’s Actions
Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker, noted that the plane’s owner was a regular at Fullerton Municipal Airport. The pilot reportedly contacted air traffic control shortly after takeoff, stating intentions to return for an emergency landing. However, the exact cause of the emergency remains unclear.
Impact on the Community
The building hit by the crash housed Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture upholstery company, with sewing machines and textiles visible inside. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung described the incident as a „solemn tragedy,“ pledging the city’s support for those affected and collaboration with investigating agencies.
Historical Context
This crash is the second recent aviation accident near Fullerton Municipal Airport. In November, another four-seat plane crashed into a tree half a mile from the airport during an emergency landing. Both occupants survived with moderate injuries.
Fullerton, a city with a population of approximately 140,000, is located 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles.