Two people have tragically lost their lives and 19 others have sustained injuries, as a small plane crashed into a furniture warehouse in Southern California. The devastating incident occurred merely moments after the aircraft had taken off from a nearby airport on Thursday afternoon.
According to the police, the crash occurred in the 2300 block of Raymer Avenue in Fullerton, California, which is located near the Fullerton Municipal Airport.
According to Fullerton police, it is believed that the two individuals who lost their lives were inside the aircraft during the crash. On the other hand, those who sustained injuries were working within the building. The severity of their injuries varied, ranging from minor to very severe. Out of the injured, a total of 11 individuals were transported to the hospital for further treatment.
According to Elliot Simpson, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, the airplane, which had a single engine and four seats, took off from the airport around 2 p.m. local time. It reached an altitude of 900 feet before the pilot radioed the control tower to request an immediate return to the airport.
During a news conference, Simpson informed reporters that despite being cleared to land, the pilot made a 180-degree turn and ultimately crashed approximately 1,000 feet before reaching the runway. The impact caused the plane to collide with a furniture warehouse, resulting in a fire.
According to Simpson, the plane in question is a Van’s Aircraft RV-10 that was built from a kit in 2011. Kit-built aircraft are those that are constructed and maintained by the owner themselves, with the Federal Aviation Administration conducting inspections to ensure they are safe to fly. Simpson noted that kit-built aircraft are quite common.
The reason for the pilot’s decision to radio for a return to the airport remains unclear, but authorities are actively investigating the matter.
According to Michael Meacham, a representative from the Fullerton Fire Department, the collision resulted in a massive fire and caused extensive destruction to a section of the warehouse.
