A small aircraft crashed into a residential neighborhood in Southern California on Friday evening, killing the pilot and igniting fires that damaged two homes, local officials said.
The fixed-wing plane went down in a suburban area of Ventura County, striking two houses and sparking fires that engulfed parts of both structures, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released.
The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is working alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate the incident.
Residents were inside both homes at the time of the crash, but emergency officials confirmed that all occupants were able to evacuate safely. No injuries were reported among residents or first responders.
“The flames were intense, and thick black smoke was rising from the area when our crews arrived,” said a Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson. “Thanks to quick action, we were able to contain the fires and prevent further spread, but unfortunately one life was lost in the aircraft.”
Footage from the scene showed the charred remains of part of the plane in one of the properties’ backyards, with fire crews dousing hot spots well into the evening.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Authorities have not said where the flight originated or where it was headed. The FAA said the aircraft was a single-engine model, and that investigators are reviewing air traffic control communications and radar data to determine what went wrong.
Neighbors described hearing a loud engine noise followed by a thunderous crash and immediate explosions.
“It sounded like a truck hit a building,” said Maria Lopez, who lives a block away. “Then we saw smoke and ran outside. It’s a miracle no one in the homes was hurt.”
The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within the next two weeks. In the meantime, officials have urged residents to avoid the crash site while cleanup and investigations continue.
