A small plane—a single-engine Van’s RV-10—crashed into a neighborhood in Simi Valley on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, two people and their dog were killed in the accident. The fatality took place in the Wood Ranch area of the community, about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
The Van’s RV-10 is one of the most successful homebuilt aircraft ever sold in kit form, embraced by the do-it-yourself aviation crowd. Farther down, eyewitnesses described a military plane crashing into Arman Hovakemian’s backyard and dining room. The impact utterly demolished both of his homes, killing one of his horses. The wreckage was strewn all over the ground, in between all of those destroyed houses. Flames shoved through the roof of a single family home just minutes after the crash.
All of the affected residents happened to be at home when the event unfolded. Luckily, they evacuated without injury and no one was hurt. In the face of tragedy, Arman Hovakemian sprung into action, dashing back into the building to save his wife, Armineh, and their pet Pomeranian, Koko. It’s lucky that they fled the property just before the crash.
“I’m numb. It hasn’t sunk in yet,” – Arman Hovakemian
Around 40 firefighters had to reset the scene, the crash’s impact pushed one vehicle over the edge of the bridge. We know the quick response prevented more people from being hurt. Our primary concern is for those involved in this tragic crash and their families, including those who died in their homes. It could take the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) weeks before releasing any preliminary findings.
This horrific incident follows the pattern of an even earlier shooting this year. The Van’s RV-10 that crashed into a Tanaka Warehouse in Fullerton, killing the pilot and his 16-year-old daughter on impact, and injuring 19 people. Such events do not inspire confidence in the safety of homebuilt aircraft, or their effect on communities that may find themselves in the flight path.
“We’re fortunate we were able to get out.” – Arman Hovakemian
As the Simi Valley community grapples with this tragedy, local officials are working to provide support to those affected by the crash. Our communities and the traveling public will be watching how the investigation into what happened in the moments before this incident unfolds. They are desperate to find solutions and want to be assured that their safety is not compromised.