Local News
Pilot and his teen daughter killed as plane hits SoCal warehouse in Fullerton, injuring 19 people
The aircraft involved was identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a single-engine Van’s RV-10, a four-seat, kit-built plane constructed in 2011.
A tragic plane crash near Fullerton Municipal Airport on Thursday claimed the lives of two individuals and left 19 others injured after a small aircraft slammed into a warehouse, igniting a massive fire.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot and his 16-year-old daughter were killed in the crash. Their identities have not yet been released.
The crash occurred just after 2:00 PM when the single-engine Van’s RV-10 aircraft struck a furniture warehouse located in the 2300 block of Raymer Avenue.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane dive into the building, tilted on its side, followed by a fiery explosion and a towering plume of thick black smoke visible from miles away.
Emergency personnel from the Fullerton Fire Department and Police Department quickly arrived on the scene.
The resulting four-alarm fire prompted the evacuation of dozens of workers from the warehouse. Firefighters battled the intense flames, eventually extinguishing the blaze.
According to Michael Meacham, spokesperson for the Fullerton Fire Department, 19 people sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.
Of those injured, 11 were transported to local hospitals, while the remaining eight were treated at the scene and released.
One video captured during the incident showed a person running from the burning building with their arm engulfed in flames.
Security footage captured the horrifying moment when the aircraft collided with the building, causing a fiery explosion. The footage shows the plane descending rapidly and striking the warehouse at an angle.
The aircraft involved was identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a single-engine Van’s RV-10, a four-seat, kit-built plane constructed in 2011.
Eliot Simpson, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), provided preliminary details on the crash trajectory.
The plane took off from Runway 24 at Fullerton at approximately 2:07 PM.
Shortly after reaching an altitude of 900 feet, the pilot issued a distress call requesting an immediate return to the airport.
Air traffic control cleared the pilot to land on any runway.
The plane attempted a 180-degree turn but crashed approximately 1,000 feet short of Runway 24.
Simpson stated that the NTSB will release a preliminary report within 14 days, with a final report expected within 12 to 18 months.
The FAA and NTSB are leading the investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Early findings indicate that the plane caught fire immediately upon impact with the building.
This tragic incident has raised questions about air safety in the vicinity of the airport and the potential risks posed to densely populated areas nearby. Authorities continue to work diligently to uncover the factors contributing to this devastating event.
St. Louis, MO — A family is mourning the loss of 6-year-old Lailah Austin, who tragically drowned while attending a party at the Element St. Louis Midtown Hotel on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to the hotel, located in the 3700 block of Forest Park Avenue, around 8:30 p.m. after receiving a report from hotel staff who discovered the child unresponsive in the indoor pool.
Emergency responders rushed Lailah to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in critical, unstable condition.
Despite medical efforts, Lailah succumbed to her injuries and passed away on Monday, January 20.
Her family is heartbroken, especially as they were preparing to celebrate her upcoming 7th birthday this Sunday.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has classified the incident as an “accidental injury” and has assigned its Child Abuse Unit to lead the investigation. Authorities have not released additional details at this time.
The tragic incident remains under investigation, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Lailah’s family, friends, and the community are rallying together to remember the young girl and support her loved ones during this difficult time.