HAWTHORNE, CA – Two individuals are in critical condition following a fiery crash of a small plane in Hawthorne early this morning. The incident, which occurred around 12:40 a.m., involved a single-engine Piper PA-24 Comanche that went down near 126th Street, close to the Courtyard Marriott parking lot.
Emergency responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived swiftly at the scene to find the aircraft engulfed in flames. Witnesses reported seeing the plane crash and immediately rushed to assist the occupants. Among the brave individuals was a man who helped pull one of the victims from the burning wreckage, fearing an explosion.
The plane, believed to have been heading to Hawthorne Municipal Airport, was carrying two people: the pilot and a passenger. Both suffered severe injuries, including significant burns, and were transported to a nearby hospital. The exact origin of the flight remains unknown at this time.
The Piper PA-24 Comanche, known for its all-metal construction and retractable landing gear, narrowly avoided colliding with nearby buildings and vehicles as it descended. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among bystanders on the ground.
Authorities have secured the crash site, and federal investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to arrive later today to begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The FAA has released a brief statement confirming the ongoing investigation.
As the community awaits further updates, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured individuals and understanding the factors that led to this tragic event.