A single-engine Van's RV-10 aircraft crashed through the roof of Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture manufacturing facility in Fullerton, California, at approximately 2:09 pm on Thursday.
The plane crashed less than two minutes after taking off from Fullerton Municipal Airport, which is located just six miles from Disneyland, according to flight tracking data.
Security camera footage from a nearby business showed the aircraft tilted on its side before diving into the building, causing a fiery explosion and creating a large plume of black smoke.
The aircraft owner was a regular at Fullerton Municipal Airport with an established presence, including a personal hangar, suggesting experienced operation of the aircraft. The attempt to make an emergency landing indicates awareness and appropriate response to mechanical issues.
The incident raises serious concerns about airport safety, particularly given that this is the second crash near Fullerton Municipal Airport in recent months, following a November incident where a four-seat plane crashed into a tree during an emergency landing.