Pilot Frantically Tried to Land Before Fatal Crash in Southern California That Claimed Two Lives

LOS ANGELES—A small plane’s pilot attempted an emergency landing shortly after takeoff, ultimately crashing through the roof of a Southern California building, as per air traffic control audio that captured frantic gasps and a woman exclaiming, “Oh my God,” moments before the impact.

The incident on Thursday resulted in two fatalities and 19 injuries. Records from the Federal Aviation Administration indicate that the aircraft was owned by Pascal Reid from Huntington Beach, California. The Huntington Beach High School girls soccer team announced on Instagram Friday that both Reid and his daughter Kelly, a student at the school, lost their lives in the crash.

“Yesterday our soccer family faced an unimaginable loss,” the post stated. “Kelly was a natural caregiver who always prioritized others. She will be profoundly missed, and her father was present at every single game, beaming with pride for his daughter.”

The coroner’s office has not yet publicly identified those who perished or confirmed their presence on the aircraft.

The plane had just departed from Fullerton Municipal Airport when the pilot communicated to the air traffic control tower that an “immediate landing [was] required.”

The pilot initially planned to land on Runway 6, but the air traffic controller redirected another aircraft from that area and informed him he could land on either Runway 6 or 24. The pilot opted for Runway 24 instead. Moments later, the audio recorded panicked breathing followed by an “Oh my God” before silence.

Federal investigators reported that the plane requested to return to the airport while at about 900 feet and ultimately crashed roughly 1,000 feet short of Runway 24, impacting a large furniture manufacturing building owned by Michael Nicholas Designs.

A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration stated that the cause of the crash remains “unknown.”

Of the injured, eleven were taken to hospitals, while eight were treated and released at the scene, according to police. The injuries reported ranged from minor to severe, stated Michael Meacham, deputy chief of fire operations in Fullerton.

Security footage from Rucci Forged, a wheel manufacturer situated across the street, captured the plane tilted sideways as it descended into the structure, creating a fiery explosion and generating a thick plume of smoke.

Chris Villalobos, who manages airport operations, mentioned that the plane’s owner was a familiar presence at the airport, often utilizing his own hangar and frequently departing from there.

The FAA identified the aircraft as a single-engine, four-seat Van’s RV-10, a popular home-built plane offered in kit form. Investigators noted it was constructed in 2011.

Tim Olson, an aviation enthusiast and early purchaser of the RV-10 kit, recalled having exchanged emails with Reid over the years and described him as a “diligent, responsible” pilot and builder. Olson added that the RV-10 is well-regarded for its ease of construction from a reputable manufacturer. He has logged over 1,500 flight hours in his own RV-10, including trips to the Cayman Islands.

“It’s really unfortunate to hear that it ended this way for him,” Olson lamented. “Based on our communications, I know he traveled and camped out with his plane extensively across the country.”

Kelly Reid is indicated on school sports sites as a junior at Huntington Beach High School, where she participated in flag football, soccer, and lacrosse.

Fullerton’s airport features one runway and a heliport, located near the Metrolink regional train line and flanked by residential neighborhoods and commercial warehouse buildings.

The Fullerton City Council released a social media statement regarding the crash, describing it as a “solemn tragedy.”

“The City of Fullerton pledges to support those affected and collaborate with the involved agencies to investigate this incident further,” stated Mayor Fred Jung. “We appreciate the strength of our community and the compassion shared during times of crisis.”

In November, another four-seat plane crashed into a tree a half-mile from the airport while attempting an emergency landing shortly after taking off, as reported by The Orange County Register; both occupants sustained moderate injuries.

Fullerton, located approximately 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles, has a population of about 140,000.

By Jaimie Ding