2 Dead After Small Plane Crashes Into Hawthorne Apartment Building
HAWTHORNE (CBSLA.com) — Two people were killed following a small plane crash into an apartment building in Hawthorne.
The apartment building in located in the 4900 block of Broadway, not far from Hawthorne Airport.
The two dead were both on the plane. Reports said residents of the building were all accounted for.
It was also not known if the plane was approaching the airport or had just departed.
The crash -- occurring just after 5 p.m. -- also touched off a fire, according to Desmond Shaw flying above in Sky2.
He said from the angle the plane hit the building it was most likely after take-off.
LA County Fire and Hawthorne Police were both on scene.
The FAA has also arrived to investigate, Shaw reported.
One witness said, "I just heard three loud crashes."
CBS2's Stacey Butler picked up the story Friday evening and talked to some of the homeowners grateful not to be home when the plane slammed into their apartment.
The family of five were about the only people not at home during the time of the crash.
It was the first time in years two young women said their father was not home around 5 p.m.
"My dad just literally changed his work schedule a week ago," said Selam Berhe.
Her sister said that just five minutes before the crash Selam was due to be home and their brother was at a graduation party.
While neighbors mourned the loss of life they realized it could have been a lot worse.
"The one house it hit was in between two houses, with a lot of people in it, and the house it hit was empty. I mean, if that doesn't make you believe in God, I don't know what does. Bu tI feel blessed," said Bronson McFarlin.
