2 Die When Plane Explodes, Crashes in Corona Park

A single-engine plane exploded and crashed in a busy park next to Corona Municipal Airport Saturday afternoon, scattering debris and killing the pilot and his passenger, authorities said.

After clipping a two-story manufacturing building, the two-seat Beech aircraft crashed in Butterfield Park, less than 100 feet from children and parents watching a Little League baseball game.

Officials said the only injury on the ground was to a 6-year-old girl whose left leg was grazed, possibly by debris. The playground equipment she was on was demolished.

Authorities were trying to confirm the identities of the crash victims late Saturday. Officials said the plane lost a landing wheel on the Corona runway, where the pilot apparently was attempting to land, take off or practice touch-and-go maneuvers. The cause of the accident was under investigation.