Two individuals lost their lives, and 19 others sustained injuries on Thursday when a small aircraft plunged into the roof of a large furniture manufacturing facility in Southern California, where approximately 200 employees were present, authorities confirmed.
According to the Fullerton Police Department, the fatalities are believed to have been the occupants of the aircraft. Those injured were inside the building at the time of the crash. The identities of the deceased will be disclosed once their families have been notified.
Emergency services transported 11 individuals to nearby hospitals, while eight others received treatment at the scene and were subsequently released, police stated.
The aircraft went down less than two minutes after departing from Fullerton Municipal Airport in Orange County, roughly 6 miles (10 kilometres) from Disneyland, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking service.
Footage from security cameras at Rucci Forged, a wheel manufacturing company located across the street, revealed the plane tilted on its side before crashing into the building. The impact resulted in a fiery explosion, sending thick black smoke into the air.
Firefighters and law enforcement promptly arrived to extinguish the flames and evacuated nearby businesses, Fullerton police spokesperson Kristy Wells reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a single-engine, four-seat Van’s RV-10 and confirmed that it, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is investigating the incident.
Fullerton Municipal Airport features one runway and a heliport, with the surrounding area comprising residential neighbourhoods, commercial warehouses, and a Metrolink commuter rail line.
The Fullerton City Council expressed condolences in a statement, calling the incident a “solemn tragedy.” Mayor Fred Jung assured the community of ongoing support and cooperation with investigative agencies.
“We are grateful for the strength of our community and the compassion we show one another in times of crisis,” Jung remarked.
This crash follows another incident in November when a four-seat aircraft crashed into a tree half a mile from the airport during an emergency landing. Both passengers sustained moderate injuries, according to The Orange County Register.
Fullerton, a city of approximately 140,000 residents, is located about 25 miles (40 kilometres) southeast of Los Angeles.
Frances Ibiefo
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