2025 Fullerton plane crash
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 A CCTV still of the aircraft seconds before crashing | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | January 2, 2025 |
| Summary | Crashed while returning to the airport; under investigation |
| Site | Fullerton, Orange County, California, United States |
| Total fatalities | 2 |
| Total injuries | 19 |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Vans RV-10 |
| Registration | N8757R |
| Flight origin | Fullerton Municipal Airport |
| Occupants | 2 |
| Passengers | 1 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground fatalities | 0 |
| Ground injuries | 19 |
On January 2, 2025, an aviation incident occurred near Fullerton Municipal Airport in California when a Van's RV-10 kit aircraft crashed into and through the roof of a furniture manufacturing warehouse facility, resulting in two fatalities, at least nineteen injuries, and a subsequent four-alarm fire. The incident necessitated a large-scale emergency response and the evacuation of numerous warehouse occupants.
Background
[edit]On November 25, 2024, less than two months prior to the January crash, a small aircraft crashed into a tree located in the 2400 block of Artesia Avenue, approximately one block from the January 2025 crash site. The November crash resulted in no serious injuries.[1]
Aircraft
[edit]The aircraft involved was a Van's RV-10, described by the National Transportation Safety Board as a four-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft, part of a series of popular kit-built aircraft manufactured by Van's Aircraft. Kit-built aircraft undergo mandatory Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspection before receiving flight clearance.[1]
Crash
[edit]
At 2:07 PM PST, the aircraft departed from Fullerton Municipal Airport and climbed to an altitude of 900 feet. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot requested to return to the airport immediately, and was given clearance to land on any available runway. During the approach, the aircraft made a 180-degree left turn to bring itself towards Runway 6 for landing.[2][1]
The plane crashed at 2:09 PM PST in the 2300 block of Raymer Avenue in Fullerton, California, approximately 1,000 feet away from the airport perimeter. Upon collision, the plane penetrated the roof of a large furniture commercial warehouse facility and immediately exploded and caught fire on impact, creating a significant structural breach visible in aerial photographs. The burning aircraft caused a four-alarm fire outbreak that produced large smoke plumes visible from aerial footage.[3][4][5]
The pilot and his 16-year-old daughter were killed in the crash.[6] A total of nineteen individuals on the ground were injured in the crash. Eleven individuals on the ground required hospitalization, while eight others were treated at the scene.[7][8][9]
Response
[edit]The Fullerton Police Department received its first report of the crash at 2:09 PM PST. Emergency responders evacuated more than 100 occupants from the warehouse following the crash.[3][4] Police also ordered immediate evacuation procedures for the surrounding areas.[1]
The Fullerton Fire Department responded to the four-alarm fire outbreak. Building inspectors subsequently red-tagged the warehouse, prohibiting reentry due to structural concerns.[1]
Investigation
[edit]The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board initiated an investigation immediately following the crash. NTSB investigator Elliott Simpson led the preliminary investigation, noting the kit aircraft type's generally reliable service history.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Wenzke, Marissa; Rodriguez, Matthew (January 2, 2025). "Plane crash near Fullerton Airport leaves 2 dead and 19 people injured - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "Shock, questions after Fullerton plane crash kills 2, injures 19". Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ a b "15 injured as small plane crashes into warehouse near Fullerton airport, catches fire". Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "11 injured in small plane crash in Southern California". AP News. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Small plane crashes through roof of Fullerton building, sparking fire and injuring 11". ABC7 Los Angeles. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Pilot and his 16-year-old daughter killed when plane hits Fullerton warehouse". YouTube ABC7 Los Angeles. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ Schlepp, Travis (January 2, 2025). "1 killed, 15 injured after plane crashes into warehouse in Fullerton". KTLA. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "2 dead and 19 injured in Southern California plane crash". AP News. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "Two Killed and 19 Injured in Fiery California Plane Crash". The New York Times. January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.