Watch CBS News

Pilot Dies After Crashing Small Plane In Riverside Neighborhood

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com)  —  A small single-engine plane crashed in a Riverside neighborhood Sunday night, killing the pilot.

The crash occurred just after 5 p.m. at Arlington Avenue and Adams Street, about a half mile east of Riverside Municipal Airport.

Authorities on the scene said the pilot did not survive the crash and that the plane -- a Beechcraft BE35 --  burst into flames after crashing.

The unidentified pilot, who was reportedly attempting to reach the Riverside Airport for an emergency landing, apparently reported a loss of engine power just before crashing.

The residents of the home where the plane came to rest say they were shaken up, but that they were OK. The plane ultimately rested in the backyard.

"(I heard) a real loud bang, I couldn't really describe it," witness Earnest Causey said. "Have you ever been in a car accident? Well that's kind of what it sounded like."

The pilot reportedly made a second call after his original report of engine failure.

"The last transmission that he said before the crash happened was that he didn't think he was going to make it," Riverside Fire Capt. Tim Odebralski said.

The plane clipped some power lines before hitting the ground, knocking over a street sign.

"Neighbors were coming in just trying to use our water hose, since we have one in the front yard and one in the back yard, and stretch it out long enough to try to get the flames out," neighbor Jessica Aviles said.

No one on the ground was injured as a result of the crash. Power was mostly restored to the area Sunday evening.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.