VAN NUYS — Two men were killed Wednesday when a single-engine Cessna airplane crashed at Van Nuys Airport.
Firefighters were sent to the airport on the 16300 block of Waterman Drive at 10:37 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“One small single-engine aircraft crashed at Van Nuys Airport and burst into flames,” the LAFD said in a statement. “Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, but, sadly, both occupants on board were found to be deceased.”
Information was not immediately available on the identities of the two men who died.
In a news briefing at the airport Wednesday afternoon, LAFD Captain Erik Scott said the plane hit the ground “nose first” in a “very high impact” crash.
Firefighters from a nearby fire station were on scene quickly and used foam in an effort to douse the intense flames from aviation fuel, Scott said.
Airport Police Captain Karla Rodriguez told reporters that an airport police officer witnessed the crash from a short distance away.
Runway 16-R was closed for about 30 minutes, but Runway 16-L remained open, Rodriguez said, adding that there were no major impacts to airport operations.
“A single-engine CSA SportCruiser crashed at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles around 10:40 a.m. local time on Wednesday, August 2,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
“Two people were on board,” the FAA said. “The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.”
A small plane crashed and burst into flames, killing two people in the aircraft on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport. The plane went down about 150 feet from where ABC7’s helicopter is kept on the tarmac. Photographers from the station were able to shoot video just after the crash. (Image from ABC7 video)
Firefighters and police are at the scene of a fiery plane crash that killed two onboard the small aircraft Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters and police are at the scene of a fiery plane crash that killed two onboard the small aircraft Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters and police are at the scene of a fiery plane crash that killed two onboard the small aircraft Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters and police are at the scene of a fiery plane crash that killed two onboard the small aircraft Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters and police are at the scene of a fiery plane crash that killed two onboard the small aircraft Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters and police are on scene Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport, where a small plane crashed and burst into flames, killing two people in the aircraft. The plane went down about 150 feet from where ABC7’s helicopter is kept on the tarmac. (Image from ABC7 video)
Firefighters extinguished the blaze that erupted Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Van Nuys Airport, where a small plane crashed and burst into flames, killing two people in the aircraft. The plane went down about 150 feet from where ABC7’s helicopter is kept on the tarmac. (Image from ABC7 video)
I am sad & angry by the news of this morning’s fatal plane crash at the Van Nuys Airport. I send my deepest condolences to the family of the pilot and passenger. As the cause of the crash is determined, we must work to enhance safety measures that prevent such terrible accidents.
— Councilmember Imelda Padilla (@CD6LosAngeles) August 2, 2023
