SIMI VALLEY, CA – A small aircraft tragically crashed into a residential area in Simi Valley on Tuesday afternoon, causing a flurry of emergency responses and leaving one person dead. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the Wood Ranch neighborhood, a tranquil community perched on a hilltop along High Meadow Street.
Eyewitnesses reported that the single-engine plane was flying erratically just before it plummeted into a backyard, bursting into flames. The plane’s sole occupant, believed to be the pilot, did not survive the crash. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the residents or neighbors on the ground, although the crash caused extensive damage to two homes, including shattered windows and fire damage.
A resident, who was outside tending to his garden, noticed the aircraft was flying unusually low and on its side. Initially mistaking the maneuver for an aerial stunt, he quickly realized the danger and rushed inside to alert his wife. Moments later, the plane crashed into their backyard, igniting a fireball that consumed part of their house and a neighboring property.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with firefighters and rescue teams arriving on the scene to contain the fire and secure the area. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Local authorities are currently waiting for NTSB officials to arrive.
Armaan Public Enemy, the homeowner who witnessed the crash, recounted the terrifying sequence of events. “I heard a large bang and saw the plane’s fuselage in flames in the backyard,” he said. “I tried using a hose to douse the fire, but the smell of fuel was overwhelming, so I backed off.”
This tragic incident has left the community in shock, as residents grapple with the close call and the loss of life. The investigation will seek to uncover what led to the plane’s erratic behavior and subsequent crash.
The Simi Valley neighborhood remains cordoned off as investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the crash. The identity of the deceased pilot has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available from authorities and the ongoing investigation.