This image, captured from a video, shows a small plane moments before it crashes into a commercial building in Fullerton, California, on Thursday, January 2, 2025. AP Photo
A tragic plane crash occurred in Southern California on Thursday, leaving two dead and 19 others injured. The small aircraft crashed into the roof of a large furniture manufacturing building, where around 200 people were working at the time. Authorities believe the victims who died were aboard the plane, while those injured were inside the building. The identities of the deceased will be released once officials have informed their families.
Of the 19 injured, 11 people were rushed to hospitals, while the remaining eight were treated at the scene and later released. The plane crashed just under two minutes after taking off from the Fullerton Municipal Airport in Orange County, about 6 miles from Disneyland. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft had barely gained altitude before the disaster struck.
Security camera footage from a nearby wheel manufacturing company, Rucci Forged, shows the plane flying on its side before it plunged into the building, triggering a massive fireball and a thick plume of black smoke. Firefighters and police quickly responded to the scene, battling the blaze and evacuating nearby businesses to ensure the safety of others.
This image, taken from a video, shows a fiery explosion as a small plane crashes into a commercial building in Fullerton, California, on Thursday, January 2, 2025. AP Photo
Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker, arrived at the warehouse shortly after receiving a call about the crash. He confirmed that the plane’s owner was a regular at the airport and often took off from there. Villalobos mentioned that after the plane took off, the pilot communicated with air traffic control, stating that he intended to turn around and make an emergency landing. However, the exact cause of the plane's trouble remains unclear at this time.
This image, captured from a video, shows a large hole in the roof of a commercial building after a small plane crashed into it in Fullerton, California, on Thursday, January 2, 2025. AP Photo
The building struck by the plane was home to Michael Nicholas Designs, a company specializing in furniture upholstery. Inside the facility, there were signs of sewing machines and textile materials, indicating the business’s operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the cause of the crash, identifying the aircraft as a single-engine, four-seat Van’s RV-10. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also looking into the incident to determine what went wrong during the short flight.
A woman is being transported on a stretcher near the location of a plane crash on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Fullerton, California. AP Photo
The Fullerton Municipal Airport, located near a residential neighborhood and commercial buildings, has one runway and a heliport. It’s also close to a Metrolink train line. In November, another four-seat plane had crashed nearby after experiencing issues during takeoff. Fortunately, the two people on board in that incident suffered only moderate injuries.
A firefighter descends a ladder outside a building where a plane crash took place on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Fullerton, California. AP Photo
The Fullerton City Council expressed deep sorrow over the crash, calling it a "solemn tragedy." Mayor Fred Jung emphasized the community's strength and compassion, offering support to those affected. The city has pledged to cooperate with authorities as they investigate the incident.
Fullerton, home to around 140,000 residents, is situated about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
