California Airplane Crash: 2 Planes Collide Mid-Air, ‘Multiple Fatalities’ Reported

Two airplanes collided in mid-air at an airport in Watsonville, California, located just 50 miles south of San Jose, California. The incident happened at the Watsonville Municipal Airport in Watsonville at around 3:00 p.m. Officials reported that there are multiple fatalities

According to ABC News, the two planes were attempting to land. This was when they collided mid-air and crashed at the airport.

Planes and the Number of People Onboard Identified

The FAA says that one of the planes is a single-engine Cessna 152. It was about to land when it collided with the second plane, a twin-engine Cessna 340.

NBC Bay Area reported that one person was aboard the Cessna 152, while there were two people aboard the Cessna 340. Luckily, nobody was on the ground when the incident happened, and it was reported that nobody else was hurt.

According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the smaller Cessna 152 spiraled down and crashed. It landed just around 100 feet from some houses. First responders have now covered the crash site with tarpaulin.

Meanwhile, the larger Cessna 304 was struggling, but a witness saw that it had also burst into flames a short while later.

Off-duty police officer Franky Herrera was driving by the airport when he witnessed the two planes collide. He said that both planes were around 200 feet up in the air when they collided.

Multiple Road Closures Reported Around Crash Site

Investigations into the crash are now underway, with the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office also involved. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are also investigating the crash.

Meanwhile, KION 46 reported that several roads are being closed down around the crash site. These are at Freedom and Buena Vista Drive, Buena Vista Drive and Calabasas, and Buena Vista Drive and Manfre Road.

Watsonville Mayor Ari Parker has released a statement saying that they are grieving for the unexpected and sudden loss which happened at the airport. She then sent her sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 'Multiple' fatalities reported after 2 small planes crash in Watsonville - KPIX CBS SF Bay Area