Two killed after small plane accidentally crashes into southern California building

A single-engine plane crashed into a commercial building near the Fullerton Municipal Airport in southern California on Jan 2 afternoon, leaving two people dead and 18 injured, officials said.

The accident occurred just after 2 pm, approximately 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The aircraft, identified as a Van's RV-10, struck the roof of a furniture manufacturing company, punching a hole into the building and sparking chaos.

Police quickly evacuated people inside the building, while emergency crews tended to the injured. Kristy Wells, spokesperson for the Fullerton Police Department in a statement confirmed that 10 people were taken to nearby hospitals, with injuries ranging from minor to severe, while eight others were treated at the scene.

Authorities have yet to determine whether the two fatalities were occupants of the plane or individuals on the ground.

Aerial footage broadcast by local media showed thick smoke rising from the building, with fire engines lining the street and emergency responders working amid the wreckage.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, officials were quoted as saying.