A SoCal warehouse plane crash kills 2 and injures 18 where at least 200 people were working, local authorities confirmed Thursday.
A tragic plane crash in Southern California on Thursday resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 18 others when a small aircraft struck the roof of a large furniture manufacturing facility.
At the time of the incident, approximately 200 employees were present in the building, according to local police reports.
Details of the Incident
The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed, nor has it been established whether they were on board the plane or inside the building when the crash occurred, as noted by Kristy Wells, a spokesperson for the Fullerton Police Department.
The aircraft, which was identified as a single-engine Van’s RV-10, took off from Fullerton Municipal Airport, located just six miles (10 kilometers) from the famous Disneyland resort.
The crash happened less than two minutes after takeoff, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Security footage from Rucci Forged, a wheel manufacturing company situated across the street from the crash site, captured the plane in a precarious position, tilted on its side, as it plummeted toward the building.
The impact resulted in a significant explosion, sending flames and a thick cloud of smoke into the air.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and police, quickly arrived on the scene to extinguish the resulting blaze and evacuate nearby businesses.
Eyewitness Accounts
Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker, was alerted to the emergency after receiving a call about a plane crash in the vicinity.
He rushed to the warehouse to see what had happened.
Villalobos revealed that the owner of the aircraft was a familiar face at the airport, having frequently taken off from there.
“He has a hangar here and everything,” Villalobos stated, indicating the pilot’s regular presence at the airport.
According to Villalobos, shortly after takeoff, the pilot communicated with air traffic control, indicating an intention to return for an emergency landing.
However, details regarding the specific problem with the aircraft remain unclear at this time.
Impact and Response
The building that was struck by the plane was home to Michael Nicholas Designs, a company specializing in furniture upholstery.
The interior was reportedly filled with sewing machines and textile materials, raising concerns about potential hazards during the fire and ensuing chaos.
In terms of casualties, ten individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while eight others received care at the scene and were subsequently released.
The police confirmed that there were two fatalities in the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
Background and Context
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the model of the aircraft involved in the crash and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Fullerton Municipal Airport, where the plane had taken off, features a single runway and a heliport, and it is situated adjacent to both residential neighborhoods and commercial warehouses.
Interestingly, this incident follows a previous event in November, when another four-seat aircraft crashed into a tree just half a mile from the airport while attempting an emergency landing shortly after takeoff.
That crash resulted in moderate injuries for both individuals on board.
Fullerton, a city with a population of around 140,000, is located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles.
As investigations proceed, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this devastating incident, highlighting the inherent risks associated with aviation and its proximity to populated areas.
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