Plane crashes into building in California: 2 dead, 18 injured
What's the story
A small plane crashed into a furniture manufacturing building in Fullerton, Southern California on Thursday, killing two and injuring 18 others. The crash happened less than two minutes after the plane took off from Fullerton Municipal Airport, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. The crash site is just six miles away from Disneyland.
Emergency actions
Crash details and immediate response
The identities of the deceased and whether they were on the plane or inside the building remain unknown, Kristy Wells, a spokesperson for the Fullerton police, said. Security footage from Rucci Forged, a nearby wheel manufacturer, showed the plane tilted on its side as it crashed into the building. The building was home to Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture upholstery manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a single-engine Van's RV-10, a four-seat model.
Investigation underway
Pilot's emergency communication and crash investigation
Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker who knew the aircraft owner, said the pilot had spoken to air traffic control about turning back for an emergency landing soon after takeoff. He stated that the aircraft's owner was a regular at the airport and had frequently taken off from there. "He has a hangar here and everything," Villalobos said.
Twitter Post
Scenes from the crash site
🚨 Tragic Plane Crash in Fullerton, California ✈️🔥
— TheClearNarrative (@DClearNarrative) January 3, 2025
A heartbreaking incident occurred on Thursday in Fullerton, Southern California, when a small plane crashed into the roof of a large furniture manufacturing facility, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to 18… pic.twitter.com/GAAC2I2Zw1
Community reaction
Fullerton community response and airport's location
Fullerton Municipal Airport has one runway and a heliport and is located close to residential areas and commercial warehouses. This incident comes after another crash in November when a similar four-seat plane struck a tree near the airport during an emergency landing. About 140,000 people live in Fullerton, a city located 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles.