Small Plane Crash in Simi Valley Claims Pilot's Life and Damages Homes
A small plane crash in Simi Valley, California, resulted in one fatality and damaged two homes, but residents evacuated safely.
Overview
A small plane crashed into two homes in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday. The pilot was killed, while residents of both homes evacuated without injury. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident, which occurred shortly after 2 PM local time. Firefighters managed to extinguish the resulting fire, and though structural damage occurred, no injuries were reported among residents. The pilot was the only person aboard the Van's RV-10 aircraft, which had taken off en route to Camarillo Airport from Lancaster.
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Analysis
- A small plane crashed in Simi Valley, California, resulting in one pilot's death and significant damage to two homes, with residents evacuating without injuries.
- Emergency services quickly responded, containing the fire and beginning salvage operations, while investigations into the crash's cause are being conducted by the NTSB.
- The plane involved was a Van's RV-10, and the incident follows a series of recent aviation accidents prompting scrutiny over air travel safety.
Articles (5)
Center (2)
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Associated Press·2M·FAQ
The Van's RV-10 is a four-seater aircraft with a length of 24 ft 5 in, wingspan of 31 ft 9 in, and height of 8 ft 8 in. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,700 lbs, empty weight around 1,520–1,600 lbs, and is powered by a 260-horsepower Lycoming IO-540 engine. It carries 60 gallons of fuel and has a useful load of over 1,000 lbs, with a max cruise speed of approximately 175–180 knots (201 mph).
The news article and provided sources do not include specific safety data or accident history for the RV-10 model. The NTSB investigation will determine contributing factors to this specific crash.
With its 60-gallon fuel capacity and cruise speeds of 175–201 mph, the RV-10 has an endurance of approximately 4–5 hours, translating to a range of roughly 700–1,000 nautical miles depending on speed and conditions.
The news article does not specify communication details. This information would be part of the FAA/NTSB investigation, which typically reviews ATC recordings and flight data.
The RV-10 has a relatively short takeoff ground roll of 500 ft, outperforming many similar four-seat aircraft like the Cirrus SR22 (1,082 ft takeoff roll). It also has a higher climb rate of 1,450 fpm at sea level compared to the SR22's 1,270 fpm.
History
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