A small aircraft crashed into a residential area in Simi Valley, California, on the afternoon of May 3, 2025, killing the pilot and damaging two homes. The plane, a single-engine Van’s RV-10, had departed from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was headed to Camarillo Airport when it went down at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time.
The crash occurred on High Meadow Street in the Wood Ranch neighborhood. The impact sparked a second-alarm fire, which was quickly brought under control by the Ventura County Fire Department. Thankfully, all residents of the affected homes evacuated safely and no injuries were reported on the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the pilot was the only person aboard the aircraft and died in the crash. Authorities have not yet released the pilot’s identity.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Investigators will examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, weather conditions at the time of the flight, the pilot’s background, and communication records with air traffic control.
This incident highlights the potential risks associated with small aircraft flights, especially over densely populated areas. Local officials and residents expressed gratitude that the situation did not result in further loss of life.
