A tragic crash unfolded in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday when a handmade kit plane slammed into two homes, claiming the lives of the pilot, a passenger, and a dog. The devastating incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on High Meadow Street, approximately 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The ill-fated aircraft, a single-engine Vans RV-10, was en route from William J. Fox Airfield to Camarillo Airport.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane struggling mid-air, wobbling and tilting sideways, before it collided with one home, igniting a fire. The flames and an explosion were captured on a Ring camera, adding to the horror of the scene. Fortunately, the residents of both impacted homes managed to evacuate safely. The Ventura County Fire Department later confirmed that the second house sustained only minor damage.
Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are actively investigating the cause of the crash. They are reviewing weather reports, flight records, and maintenance logs as part of their probe. The Hovakemians’ home remains off-limits while the investigation is underway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that the pilot was the sole occupant of the plane, with the NTSB now leading the inquiry.
This tragic incident mirrors a similar crash earlier this year in Fullerton, where another Vans RV-10 went down, claiming the lives of a pilot and his daughter.
