California Plane Crash Kills 2, Injures 18 in Warehouse Explosion [WATCH]

A small plane crashed into a commercial building in Southern California on Thursday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 18 others.

The crash occurred in Fullerton, California, shortly after the aircraft took off from Fullerton Municipal Airport.

According to police, the crash was reported at approximately 2:09 p.m. local time. Firefighters responded quickly to the scene, battling the fire that erupted when the plane struck the roof of a building.

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The building, which appeared to house sewing machines and textile stock, was used by Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture upholstery manufacturer, based on a sign visible on the door.

While the exact type of aircraft involved remains unclear, flight tracking data from FlightAware shows that the four-seat, single-engine plane crashed about a minute after takeoff.

The exact number of those injured who were on the aircraft versus on the ground has not been confirmed, according to Fullerton Police spokesperson Kristy Wells.

A total of ten people were hospitalized, and eight others were treated at the scene and released.

Wells confirmed that two people had died as a result of the crash.

Security camera footage of the incident shows the plane crashing into the building, followed by an explosion.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by authorities.

Plane Crashes, Explodes In California Warehouse: 2 Dead, At Least 18 Injured…

A small plane crashed into a commercial building in Southern California on Thursday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 18 others.

The crash occurred in Fullerton, California, shortly after… pic.twitter.com/linuVY9KGi

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 3, 2025

The plane had taken off from Fullerton Municipal Airport, a small airport equipped with two runways and a helipad.

Audio reviewed by the Los Angeles Times from air traffic control communications revealed that the pilot initially intended to land on runway 6 but was later cleared for runway 24.

The pilot then made a sudden decision to land on runway 24, and shortly after, panic was audible in the communication, with a voice saying, “Oh my God,” before the transmission went silent.

The crash occurred just a short time after the pilot’s communication with air traffic control, leading to speculation about the cause of the crash.

The investigation into what went wrong remains ongoing.

Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung issued a statement on behalf of the Fullerton City Council, thanking first responders for their swift action and offering condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

“As we come together in the wake of this tragedy, the City of Fullerton is committed to providing support for all those affected and working with the agencies involved to uncover the details of this incident,” Mayor Jung said. “We are grateful for the strength of our community and the compassion we show one another in times of crisis. Together, we will move forward with resolve, care, and unity.”

The crash and its aftermath have left the community reeling as investigations continue into the cause of the incident.

Local authorities are working with federal agencies to gather more details and provide answers to the families and community members impacted by the tragic event.

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