At Least 3 Killed In California Plane Crash

Los Angeles: Three people died and up to five more were missing after a small plane crashed into two houses in a residential neighborhood in southern California.

The Cessna 310 aircraft crashed "under unknown circumstances" about a half-mile northeast of Riverside Municipal Airport on Monday, just east of Los Angeles, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said. The crash was reported at approximately 4:40 pm local time. The city's fire chief Michael Moore told journalists that five people were on the plane, which split apart when it hit two homes that authorities believe both had occupants inside. One survivor, a teenage girl, was ejected from the aircraft and survived with minor injuries. A resident found in one of the burning homes remained in "very critical" condition as of Monday, Moore said. Moore said it is unclear whether the four killed were aboard the plane or on the ground.

The plane passengers had departed from Riverside for San Jose. The passengers were returning to San Jose city after a weekend cheerleading competition at Disneyland when the plane crashed in Riverside neighbourhood. The plane, a Cessna 310, crashed about a half-mile northeast of the Riverside Municipal Airport and had just taken off. A witness saw the plane make a turn, then nosedive. The crash completely destroyed two homes, scorched a car, and scattered debris till at least a half mile away.