The plane fell on a residential area in California: there are fatalities

At least 2 people have died after a light aircraft crashed into a residential area in California, reports AP.

Photo: Shutterstock

On October 11, a small plane crashed in a densely populated suburb of San Diego, killing two people and injuring at least two others. The accident left widespread destruction - more than ten houses were damaged. Several vehicles also caught fire, including a UPS truck whose driver was killed.

Neighbors spoke of the dramatic rescue of a couple of retirees from one of two burning houses that were destroyed in Santi, a suburb of 50.

"I don't want to make things too bad, but it's a pretty brutal scene," said Justin Matsushita, deputy chief of the Santee Fire Department, as firefighters searched the smoldering ruins.

United Parcel Service of America Inc. confirmed that one of her employees had died.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of our employee and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the company said. “We also extend our condolences to the other individuals involved in this incident, as well as their families and friends.”

The accident also killed Dr. Sugata Das, who worked at the Yuma Regional Medical Center in Arizona, said the hospital's chief physician.

“As an outstanding cardiologist and dedicated family man, Dr. Das has left an indelible mark,” Dr. Bharat Magu said in a statement. “We offer our prayers and support to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.”

Das was the director of the Power of Love Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps women and children abroad who are infected or affected by AIDS and HIV. The foundation's website says that Das, the father of two boys, lived in San Diego, owned a twin-engined Cessna 340 and was qualified as a pilot. The doctor allegedly often flew between his home and Yuma, where he worked.

It is unclear how many people were on board the plane, although fire officials say no one on board would have survived.

The plane was heading for a landing at Montgomery-Gibbs Airport in San Diego when it hit the ground. Shortly before, when the plane was about half a mile from the runway, the air traffic controller warned the pilot that the plane was flying too low.

“Low altitude warning, climb immediately, raise the aircraft,” the controller tells the pilot in an audio recording obtained by reporters.

The controller repeatedly calls the plane to climb, and when it remains at the same altitude, he warns: "You seem to be descending again, sir."

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People a block away from the scene said their homes were shaken by a thunderous impact. Michael Keely, 43, ran barefoot outside and saw flames engulfing a UPS truck and a corner house. He joined two neighbors and rushed towards the burning house and people shouting through the open window.

The second house was also on fire. But no one was at home.

Keely reached out through the window to grab the woman and help her out. According to him, her forearms were burned and her hair was singed.

“I’m glad I didn’t have to go in barefoot,” Keely said.

At the same time, other neighbors demolished the couple's fence to rescue the woman's husband from the backyard.

Keely said that after the couple found themselves on the sidewalk, the woman pleaded for help for their dog, who was believed to be in the house.

“She kept saying, 'My puppy, my puppy,'” he said.

But a few moments later explosions occurred in the house. A group of neighbors helped the couple move to a safe distance before the arrival of the medics.

Andrew Pellot, 30, lives across the street from the couple. He was at home when he heard a buzz and then a loud rumble.

“At first I thought it was a falling meteorite,” he said. “I heard the sound of a fall, and then some kind of explosion.”

Pellot looked outside and saw a UPS truck on fire. He grabbed a fire extinguisher and joined other neighbors who removed boards from the fence to rescue an elderly couple in a burning house.

There was no one in another plane-destroyed house that had been sold just a month ago, Pellot said. He met with the new owner on Monday when he arrived to assess the damage.

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The crash site is a few kilometers north of Gillespie Field, a small airport in San Diego County. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

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