On January 2, 2025, at 2:09 PM, Fullerton Police and Fullerton Fire responded to the 2300 block of Raymer Ave. regarding a small aircraft that reportedly crashed onto a rooftop of a commercial building near the Fullerton Airport.
The pilot had radioed a request for an emergency landing prior to the crash about 90 seconds after the pilot had taken off from the Fullerton Airport.
The plane was given clearance by the Federal Aviation Administration tower at the airfield to use either side of the runway. It is believed that there was at least one passenger on the plane in addition to the pilot.
The building struck by the plane was a furniture factory belonging to Michael Nicholas Designs. The building was on fire after the crash, with people inside.
Upon arrival, both Police and Fire personnel immediately began evacuations of the surrounding businesses due to an active fire in the building. Fullerton Fire, along with Brea Fire, the Orange County Fire Authority, Huntington Beach Fire, Fountain Valley Fire, and Anaheim Fire immediately began fire suppression and rescue efforts.
A Vans RV-10 experimental aircraft was located inside the commercial building engulfed in flames.
Nineteen individuals, who were working inside the building at the time of the plane crash, were injured. Eleven individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment and eight were treated and released on scene. There are two confirmed fatalities, both of whom are believed to have been in the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Orange County Coroner’s Office pending next of kin notifications.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appeared at the scene and are conducting an investigation into the crash.
Residents were advised to avoid the area.
The investigation is on going.
