Twin-engine plane heading to Utah crashes at California airport

(KABC-TV via AP)


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FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say the pilot killed in a fiery plane crash at a Southern California airport was heading for Utah.

A twin-engine Beechcraft Duke was taking off from a runway at Fullerton Municipal Airport, southeast of Los Angeles, when it crashed shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday.

Fire officials say the plane was doing only 80 mph and was just 15 feet off the ground before it crashed.

Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration says the plane rolled to the left and caught fire. Video showed the aircraft burning in a fireball. The wings and tail were incinerated, although part of the fuselage survived.

Gregor says the pilot had filed a flight plan from Fullerton to Heber City Municipal Airport in Heber, Utah.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

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