BREAKING NEWS: Pilot is killed after small plane crashes into parked cars in residential neighborhood close to airport runway in northeastern Los Angeles
The pilot of a small plane was killed after the aircraft crashed into several parked vehicles in a residential area located just a few feet from an airport runway in the Pacoima section of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon.
Several cars on the street burst into flames after the aircraft apparently collided into them just before 11:30am local time, according to initial reports.
Contrary to initial reports, the plane, a Cessna 172, did not crash into a home, KABC-TV reported. The pilot was the only person on board, according to authorities.
First responders rushed to the scene near Whiteman Airport in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, KTLA-TV reported. By noon local time, firefighters managed to extinguish the flames.
No homes appeared to be damaged by the fires.
The aircraft was approaching Runway 12 when it crashed, according to preliminary information released by the Federal Aviation Administration.
One person has been killed after a small plane crashed into parked cars in a residential area adjacent to an airport runway in the Pacoima section of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon
A witness took a photo of the billowing smoke a few hundred yards away from the crash site
Smoke is seen billowing in a residential neighborhood in the northeastern San Fernando Valley
While at least two cars were destroyed, no homes appeared to be damaged, according to local officials
Video footage shot by news helicopters showed smoke billowing from the crash site in front of a home near Pierce Street and Sutter Avenue.
At least two cars appeared to be on fire.
Firefighters on the scene said that the aircraft appeared to have caused power lines to come down.
As a result, authorities shut off electricity to the area.
Video footage shot by news helicopters showed smoke billowing from the crash site in front of a home near Pierce Street and Sutter Avenue
Local firefighters said that the plane appeared to cause power lines to come down
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Cessna 172 was approaching the airport runway when it crashed. The above image is a stock photo of a Cessna 172
Whiteman Airport is an airfield with a narrow runway that primarily caters to small aircraft as well as medium turboprops and jets. It is owned and operated by Los Angels County.
The crash took place just two months after two people were killed when a small plane slammed into a parking lot in nearby Van Nuys Airport.
The plane, which crashed just off a runway, barely missing parked cars in a narrow space between industrial buildings.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
