In a tragic incident in Southern California, two people lost their lives and nineteen others were injured when a small plane crashed into the roof of a furniture manufacturing building in Fullerton. The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from the Fullerton Municipal Airport on Thursday, just six miles from Disneyland. While the identities of the deceased have not been confirmed, they are believed to have been on the plane at the time of the accident, according to the Fullerton Police Department.

Emergency responders reported that among the injured, eleven individuals were transported to local hospitals, while eight others received treatment on site. The severity of the injuries varied, with some ranging from minor to critical status, stated Michael Meacham, deputy chief of fire operations. The pilot of the Van’s RV-10, a single-engine aircraft, had requested an immediate landing at approximately 900 feet shortly before the crash. However, the circumstances surrounding the emergency remain unclear. Eyewitness accounts describe a panicked scene, including audio of the pilot's distress and a final exclamation captured by air traffic control just before the crash.

Watch footage from security cameras at nearby Rucci Forged shows the plane dramatically tilting and descending as it struck the building, resulting in a fiery explosion and visible smoke. The structure hit was Michael Nicholas Designs, a facility with at least 200 people inside at the time.

Authorities have initiated investigations, with both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) looking into the incident. The FAA reported that the aircraft was built in 2011 and is part of a kit-built category that has gained popularity among aviation enthusiasts.

The Fullerton City Council expressed condolences and deemed the incident a “solemn tragedy,” with Mayor Fred Jung promising assistance to all affected as the community mourns this distressing event. “We are thankful for the strength of our community and the compassion shown in these troubling times,” he emphasized in a social media statement.

Interestingly, this is not the first aviation incident in the area; another similar plane crash occurred in the vicinity just a month prior, which highlights the challenges posed by aviation safety in these locales.