Piper Seneca Crashes Into Homes Near Los Angeles

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Piper PA-34-200 Seneca twin crashed into homes near Cable Airport, California.
  • Three people on board sustained injuries, described initially as minor.
  • The pilot reported engine problems during approach in clear weather conditions.
  • Flight tracking data showed a non-standard approach compared to previous flights, with a shorter flight time.
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All three aboard a Piper PA-34-200 Seneca twin (N4463T) registered to a Van Nuys, Calif. business were injured when the aircraft, which departed Van Nuys at 9:47 a.m. on Monday, crashed about 15 minutes later into homes before coming to rest atop a garage not far from the approach end of Cable Airport, roughly 45 miles east of Los Angeles. Weather was clear, there was no post-crash fire, no one on the ground was injured and injuries suffered by those aboard were initially reported as minor. FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told local news that “they were on approach when the pilot reported engine problems.” Flight track history depicted by FlightAware indicates an indirect flight path that heads just south of Cable, turning farther south within about 10 nm of the airport, then nearly reversing course and ending short of the airport. FlightAware listed two prior flights of the aircraft in the preceding two days, both from Van Nuys to Cable, both flying more direct routes and lasting 21 and 22 minutes Sunday and Saturday, respectively. Monday’s accident flight was listed at 15 minutes in duration. N4483T was very active — FlightAware listed more than 30 flights for the aircraft in the preceding 30 days. (Photo: ABC News)

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