On May 3, 2025, a small plane, a Vans RV-10, crashed into a residential area in Simi Valley, California, killing the pilot, a passenger, and a dog. The crash occurred in the 200 block of High Meadow Street in the Wood Ranch neighborhood, after the plane took off from William J. Fox Airfield and was en route to Camarillo Airport. The crash caused significant damage to two homes, with fires starting upon impact. Fortunately, the residents of the homes were not injured.

Witnesses reported the plane circling suspiciously before it crashed, and surveillance footage showed the plane flying dangerously close to homes. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, which is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. First responders quickly contained the fire, preventing further damage.

The Simi Valley tragedy follows a similar incident in March, where a small plane crashed into a house in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, sparking a fire but causing no fatalities inside the home. As investigations continue, concerns over aviation safety have been heightened, with some linking recent incidents to cuts in federal aviation safety personnel. Our condolences go out to the families affected by both tragedies.