A small plane crashed through the roof of a furniture manufacturing facility in Southern California on Thursday, resulting in two fatalities and 19 injuries. The incident occurred while at least 200 employees were present in the building, according to local police.

Authorities believe the two deceased individuals were aboard the aircraft, while the injured were inside the Michael Nicholas Designs building, a furniture upholstery manufacturer. The Fullerton Police Department has stated that the identities of the deceased will be released after next of kin have been notified.

Of the 19 injured, 11 were transported to local hospitals, while eight were treated at the scene. The range of injuries has been described from minor to very serious, as reported by Michael Meacham, Fullerton’s deputy chief of fire operations.

An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Eliott Simpson, revealed that the pilot had requested an immediate return to Fullerton Municipal Airport shortly after takeoff, reaching an altitude of about 900 feet. The tower cleared the pilot for landing, but the specific reason for the emergency landing request remains unknown. The plane went down less than two minutes after departing, crashing approximately 1,000 feet short of Runway 24.

Witnesses and security camera footage indicated that the aircraft was tilted on its side as it crashed into the building, resulting in a fiery explosion and a plume of black smoke.

First responders arrived swiftly, battling the blaze and evacuating nearby businesses.

An airport operations worker noted that the plane’s owner was a familiar face at the airport, often seen taking off from there.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident, identifying the aircraft as a single-engine, four-seat Van’s RV-10, which was built in 2011 and is known as a popular “kit-built airplane.”

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In response to the tragedy, the Fullerton City Council expressed their condolences, calling the crash a “solemn tragedy.” Mayor Fred Jung emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting those affected and collaborating with relevant agencies to uncover the details surrounding the incident.