A small plane crash in California claimed two lives and left 18 others injured after it nosedived into a factory building on Thursday, January 2.
The tragic incident occurred less than two minutes after the plane took off from Fullerton Municipal Airport in Orange County, according to flight-tracking data from FlightAware.
The single-engine Van’s RV-10 aircraft, carrying four seats, struck the roof of a furniture manufacturing building where at least 200 workers were present. 
Officials confirmed that two people died at the scene, while 10 others were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Eight additional victims were treated at the scene and later released. The Fullerton Police Department is still determining whether the fatalities occurred on the plane or among the factory workers.
Surveillance footage captured the dramatic moment the small plane crash caused a massive fire and sent plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and police officers, arrived promptly to extinguish the blaze and safely evacuate employees and nearby businesses to prevent further destruction.
Investigators are now examining the cause of the incident, as officials revealed that the pilot had reported plans to return for an emergency landing shortly before the accident.
Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker, stated that the pilot was a frequent flier at the Fullerton Municipal Airport and maintained a hangar there.
“He often took off from this airport,” Villalobos said. He also confirmed that the pilot mentioned an unspecified issue while requesting an emergency landing.
Authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are continuing investigations to determine what led to the crash.
Condolences have poured in for the victims, as families mourn their losses and others recover from injuries.
The incident highlights the importance of safety measures and the need for emergency services to remain on standby to handle unexpected tragedies effectively.
