Heather Navarro

2 Dead After Homebuilt Aircraft Crashes Into Lemon Orchard

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was a single-engine homebuilt VariEze

Two people were killed when a homebuilt aircraft crashed in a lemon orchard in unincorporated Santa Paula, California, on Saturday, Ventura County Fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to the 1600 block of Aliso Canyon Road at 3:17 p.m. to a report of an aircraft going down.

When they arrived, firefighters found the "experimental" aircraft fully engulfed in flames in an orchard north of Ventura city. The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was a single-engine homebuilt VariEze. 

Two people were aboard, the FAA said.

Officials said the engine was cutting in and out as the craft made its way down when it caught on power lines, as observed by nearby ranchers. 

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating.

The California Highway Patrol closed Aliso Canyon Road at Foothill Road due to the crash.

Pilots assemble VariEze aicrafts at home, and they must be inspected by an FAA official before flying. 

NBC4's Marin Austin contributed to this report.

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