Crash at Fullerton Warehouse Leaves Devastation
On Thursday, a small plane crash in Fullerton, Southern California, claimed the lives of two people and left 18 others injured. The aircraft plunged through the roof of a furniture manufacturing warehouse, where over 200 employees were working at the time. According to Kristy Wells, spokesperson for the Fullerton Police Department, it remains unclear whether the deceased were passengers or on-site workers. The single-engine Van’s RV-10 had taken off from Fullerton Municipal Airport but crashed less than two minutes later, located just six miles from Disneyland. Surveillance footage from a neighboring business captured the plane tilting on its side before impact, resulting in a fiery explosion and plumes of black smoke.
Emergency Efforts and Witness Accounts
Emergency responders promptly arrived at the scene, battling flames and evacuating nearby businesses. Among the first to reach the site was Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker who recognized the plane’s owner as a regular pilot at Fullerton Airport. Villalobos stated that the pilot had reported to air traffic control about a need to turn back for an emergency landing. However, the exact cause of the crash remains unknown. The warehouse, identified as Michael Nicholas Designs, housed sewing machines and textiles, which likely fueled the intense fire. Ten individuals were hospitalized for their injuries, while eight others were treated and discharged on-site, authorities confirmed.
Ongoing Investigations and Historical Context
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a four-seat model frequently used for private flights. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with officials working to determine contributing factors. Notably, this is not the first aviation incident in the area. In November, another small plane crashed into a tree near the airport, injuring two people during an attempted emergency landing. Fullerton, a city with approximately 140,000 residents, houses a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial warehouses, including the crash site. The tragedy has reignited concerns about air traffic safety in densely populated areas.
