KTLA

2 dead after small plane crashes at Torrance airport

Two people died after they were on board a small plane that crashed at a Torrance airport Wednesday morning.

Police and firefighters responded to the scene at Zamperini Field around 11 a.m., officials said.


The pilot of a single-engine experimental Arion Lightning plane crashed while attempting to land, the Federal Aviation Administration said in an email to KTLA. Officials say the plane was seen going in circles before landing just short of the runway.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that two people were killed in the crash. Their identities have not been released.

Though no fire was reported, aerial video from Sky 5 showed the debris field and wreckage of the destroyed aircraft.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

Torrance Municipal Airport is home to more than 500 aircraft, many being private. Planes at the airport are also used for flight instruction, aircraft repair and charter flights.

The airport was closed after the deadly crash and a reopening date is still under discussion.

No further details about the incident have been released.