3 killed as small plane crashes in Agua Dulce
A small, single-engine plane crashed next to a barn in Agua Dulce on Thursday afternoon, killing at least three people and three horses, authorities said.
The Cirrus SR-22 was flying from Van Nuys Airport to Parker, Ariz., when it came down about 12:20 p.m. about one mile west of the Agua Dulce Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman, said two people were killed in the plane, which caught fire after crashing. It was unknown where the other victim was when the crash occurred. Authorities have not released the names of the victims.
Cirrus SR-22s are equipped with a large parachute that will slow the plane and lower it to the ground in case of emergency, but it was not known if the chute had been used.
Two of the horses were killed by flying debris and a third had to be euthanized because of its injuries. A fourth horse was hurt but is expected to survive, Los Angeles County coroner’s officials said.
Flames from the plane spread to the nearby barn, but because of the rainy weather the fire posed little threat and was quickly extinguished, said Matt Levesque, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Gregor said the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.
Agua Dulce, which is known for the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, is about 45 miles north of Los Angeles.
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