Two people were killed and 19 others sustained injuries when a small plane crashed into a furniture warehouse shortly after taking off from a nearby airport in Southern California on Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred in the 2300 block of Raymer Avenue in Fullerton, California, near Fullerton Municipal Airport, as reported by local police.
Fullerton police confirmed that the two fatalities were likely aboard the plane during the crash, while the injured individuals were workers inside the warehouse. The injuries ranged from minor to severe, with 11 of the injured being transported to local hospitals.
According to Elliot Simpson, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the single-engine, four-seat plane took off around 2 p.m. local time, initially climbing to 900 feet. Shortly after, the pilot radioed the control tower requesting an emergency return to the airport. The plane was cleared to land but made a sharp 180-degree turn before crashing about 1,000 feet short of the runway. The aircraft struck the warehouse and caught fire.
Simpson explained that the plane involved in the crash was a Van’s Aircraft RV-10, which was built by the owner in 2011 as a kit aircraft. These types of planes are assembled and maintained by their owners, with inspections from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure they are airworthy. Kit-built aircraft are relatively common, Simpson added.
At this point, the cause behind the pilot’s decision to return to the airport is still under investigation. Authorities are continuing to gather information on the crash.
The collision ignited a large fire, which caused considerable damage to the warehouse, according to Michael Meacham of the Fullerton Fire Department.
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