4 killed, 2 injured after small plane crashes into houses in California (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
At least 4 people have been killed and 2 injured after a Cessna 310 aircraft crashed in a neighborhood east of the Riverside Municipal Airport, setting several houses on fire.
The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Riverside Municipal Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The six-seat, low-wing, twin-engined monoplane was en route to San Jose, California when it crashed in a residential neighborhood, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
“We have recovered four victims that are deceased,” Fire Chief Michael Moore told reporters, stating that at least one body was a “teenage” person.
According to the chief, some 60 firefighters are still searching for at least two other missing people whose houses were destroyed in the plane crash.
#BreakingNews A Cessna 310 plane crashes into homes in Riverside. The plane was heading to San Jose from Riverside. @KTLApic.twitter.com/NEdrVxyVAA
— Matt Phillips (@MattPhillipsTV) February 28, 2017
A further two people who suffered injuries are being treated in hospital.
According to one survivor, five people were on board the plane coming back from a “cheer conference” at Disney Land.
UPDATE: 1 person killed, 6 total patients in #Riverside plane crash. Cessna 310 damaged at least 3 houses. pic.twitter.com/cz0Qgt2Xmk
— Brian Shlonsky (@10NewsBrian) February 28, 2017
The circumstances of the crash were not immediately known.
Images from the scene showed extensive fire which erupted after the plane crashed into a suburban neighborhood of Riverside at the intersection of Central and Streeter Avenues.
Riverside Plane Crash victims being treated as Riverside Fire Fighters battle flames @CBSLApic.twitter.com/lMJeErpOy6
— stu mundel (@Stu_Mundel) February 28, 2017
Riverside Police Lt. Charles Payne confirmed that two homes have been affected. Residents of nearby homes were evacuated from the area and taken to a local community center, Payne said.
Saw the crash and I can't stop shaking pic.twitter.com/oors0csLDa
— ely Ⓥ (@babyzucchini) February 28, 2017
Authorities have cordoned off the area, while firefighters continue to battle the flames. More than a dozen emergency vehicles are at the scene, including paramedic vehicles and police cars.
Update: street video of aftermath from plane crash into homes in Riverside. @CBSLApic.twitter.com/iEM1hk65v0
— Jeff Vaughn (@JeffVaughn) February 28, 2017