Picture Credits: krcrtv.com
California, UNITED STATES: A small aircraft crashed in a rural area of Cottonwood, California, on Tuesday afternoon, killing the pilot and injuring another passenger. The accident occurred around 3:35 p.m. near Phyllis Road in Tehama County, drawing an immediate response from local law enforcement, fire personnel, and emergency medical teams.
Authorities confirmed that the plane went down in an open field just outside a residential zone. One person onboard, believed to be the passenger, managed to escape from the wreckage. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and later airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The pilot, however, was pronounced dead at the crash site.
Picture Credits: krcrtv.com
The identities of the individuals involved have not been released pending family notification. The type and registration of the aircraft remain unconfirmed.
As of now, investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to arrive on Wednesday morning to begin a full inquiry. Officials have cordoned off the crash site to preserve evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
This accident is one of many fatal general aviation incidents reported in the U.S. this year. In 2025 alone, at least 143 fatalities have occurred in 36 aircraft accidents nationwide, raising concerns among aviation safety advocates about increasing risks in small aircraft operations.
Tehama County authorities have urged anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant footage to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Also, on January 2, 2025, another tragic aviation accident occurred when a Van’s RV-10 aircraft crashed into a furniture warehouse near Fullerton Municipal Airport, California. The crash led to two fatalities and 19 injuries. The pilot, Pascal Reid, and his daughter Kelly Reid were onboard the aircraft when the incident occurred.
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