Plane crashes into used-car lot in Pacoima; 2 injured
Two people were injured Sunday afternoon when their small plane missed a landing at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, struck a building and crashed into a nearby used-car lot, officials said.
The single-engine Cessna 172 was trying to land at the airport shortly before 1 p.m. when it crashed into the lot just across San Fernando Road, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Preliminary information indicated the pilot was making his second attempt at the landing when the crash occurred, Gregor said.
Both men inside the plane were able to climb out on their own, said Brian Humphrey, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman. They were taken to a hospital in fair condition, with injuries Humphrey described as non-life-threatening.
The names of the men have not been released. The plane was registered to John Rhodes of Northridge, according to information provided by the FAA. Rhodes could not immediately be reached for comment.
The plane was destroyed in the crash and downed power lines, Humphrey said. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s website reported that roughly 330 customers in the area remained without power about 3:30 p.m.
San Fernando Road was closed between Kagel Canyon and Terra Bella streets as investigators and clean-up crews stayed at the scene, Humphrey said. It was not known when the road would reopen.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
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