Picture credits: CSB News
Fullerton: On January 2, 2025, a Van’s RV-10 aircraft crashed into a furniture warehouse near Fullerton Municipal Airport, California, resulting in two fatalities and 19 injuries.
The Van’s RV-10 is a single-engine, all-metal aircraft designed for general aviation. This particular RV-10, involved in the Fullerton crash, had a four-seat configuration and was being piloted by Pascal Reid with his daughter Kelly Reid on board.
The pilot initially indicated an intention to land on Runway 6. The air traffic controller then instructed another aircraft to vacate the area and informed the pilot that he could choose to land on either Runway 6 or 24. The pilot subsequently decided to land on Runway 24. Moments later, sounds of distress, including panicked gasping and an exclamation of “Oh my God,” were heard before the audio went silent.
Federal investigators reported that the aircraft requested a return to the airport at approximately 900 feet (274 meters) in altitude and crashed about 1,000 feet (305 meters) short of Runway 24, impacting a furniture manufacturing building owned by Michael Nicholas Designs.
The impact caused a significant fire, producing large plumes of black smoke visible from a distance.
Among the 19 injured were warehouse employees; 11 were hospitalized, and eight were treated on-site. First responders evacuated over 100 workers from the warehouse and surrounding areas.
The building sustained significant structural damage and was subsequently closed pending further inspections. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.
Preliminary reports suggest the pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to return to the airport before the aircraft descended rapidly. The exact cause of the emergency that led to the pilot’s return request remains under investigation.
The Fullerton community has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, with local officials extending condolences to the victims’ families.
Mayor Fred Jung commended the emergency teams and assured ongoing community support for those affected.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for latest aviation news and updates.
![Washington, United States: A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City made an emergency diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted another traveler, according to air traffic control communications and federal authorities. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday evening carrying 145 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had been en route to Guatemala City when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. According to audio between the flight crew and air traffic controllers, the pilot informed controllers that the disruptive passenger attempted to open Door 2L while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet. The pilot also reported that the passenger later assaulted another individual onboard. During the exchange, the tower asked the crew which door the passenger had attempted to access. The pilot responded: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.” When controllers asked whether there were any injuries onboard, the pilot replied: “Not to our knowledge.” The aircraft landed safely at Washington Dulles at approximately 8:38 p.m. local time. Law enforcement and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival. The FBI later confirmed that agents responded to the incident at the airport, although the agency did not immediately release additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, possible charges, or whether the individual was taken into federal custody. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft remained airborne for a period before diverting toward the Washington region instead of continuing south toward Guatemala. The diversion temporarily disrupted the scheduled international service but no injuries among passengers or crew were officially reported. United Airlines had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding the diversion or the status of the passenger involved. Federal authorities are expected to review crew reports, passenger statements, and onboard evidence as part of the investigation.](https://aviationtoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AVIATION-TODAY-UNITEDV-AIRLINES-RUDE-PASSENGER-768x432.jpg)
![Washington, United States: A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City made an emergency diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted another traveler, according to air traffic control communications and federal authorities. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday evening carrying 145 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had been en route to Guatemala City when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. According to audio between the flight crew and air traffic controllers, the pilot informed controllers that the disruptive passenger attempted to open Door 2L while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet. The pilot also reported that the passenger later assaulted another individual onboard. During the exchange, the tower asked the crew which door the passenger had attempted to access. The pilot responded: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.” When controllers asked whether there were any injuries onboard, the pilot replied: “Not to our knowledge.” The aircraft landed safely at Washington Dulles at approximately 8:38 p.m. local time. Law enforcement and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival. The FBI later confirmed that agents responded to the incident at the airport, although the agency did not immediately release additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, possible charges, or whether the individual was taken into federal custody. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft remained airborne for a period before diverting toward the Washington region instead of continuing south toward Guatemala. The diversion temporarily disrupted the scheduled international service but no injuries among passengers or crew were officially reported. United Airlines had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding the diversion or the status of the passenger involved. Federal authorities are expected to review crew reports, passenger statements, and onboard evidence as part of the investigation.](https://aviationtoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AVIATION-TODAY-UNITEDV-AIRLINES-RUDE-PASSENGER-300x169.jpg)
