Aside from the report coverage of the crash of a small plane in Simi Valley, the Ventura County Fire Department and media outlets have released video footage showing the aftermath of the tragedy.
A small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in Simi Valley on Saturday afternoon, May 3, 2025, resulting in casualties and damaging two homes, according to authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft involved was a Vans RV-10 — a four-seat, single-engine plane typically home-built from a kit.
The aircraft had departed from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was heading to Camarillo Airport when it went down around 2 p.m. in the 200 block of High Meadow Street, in the Wood Ranch community.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that both the pilot and a passenger died in the crash, along with a canine also on board. As of Sunday afternoon, the identities of the victims had not yet been released.
The plane crashed into the backyard and dining room of a home belonging to Arman and Armineh Hovakemian. Arman had been doing yardwork when he noticed the plane flying low and circling unusually close to the hillside homes.
Fearing the worst, he rushed inside to alert his wife and retrieve their Pomeranian, Koko. Just moments later, the aircraft slammed into their property, igniting a fire and filling the air with the smell of gasoline.
The couple managed to escape unharmed, though the fuselage landed in the very spot Arman had been standing minutes before. Neighbors then called 911.
“I’m numb. It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said. “We’re fortunate we were able to get out.” Another nearby home, owned by P. J. Van Kralingen and his wife, Iris, also sustained damage. The couple was away at the Getty Center when they received a text about the crash.
Although no one was home at the time, the impact shattered windows in their family room — a space usually occupied by Iris’ parents, who live with them. The family’s three dogs were home during the incident, and two remain missing after apparently escaping during the chaos.
‘It’s a little bit unsettling,” P.J. remarked, noting that investigators told him he wouldn’t be able to return to the property for at least 24 hours due to the ongoing investigation.
Witnesses described the plane’s behavior in the minutes before the crash as alarming. In security footage reviewed by neighbors and later viewed by The Los Angeles Times, the aircraft can be heard circling for nearly three minutes, flying unusually close to several homes.
In another clip, it’s seen shooting vertically into the clouds before plunging downward. The NTSB arrived at the scene on Sunday to begin clearing wreckage and assessing the area. Officials expect their full investigation to take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete.
Videos shared by the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) capture the harrowing aftermath of the plane crash, with first responders working swiftly at the scene.
In the aerial footage, firefighters can be seen on the roof of one of the damaged homes, where parts of the structure have been blown apart, exposing the interior and attic. A firefighting ladder is extended overhead, allowing personnel to combat the fire from above while smoke rises from the residence.
Another snapshot shows crews on the ground and roof securing the area, with debris scattered throughout the backyard and signs of impact near a chimney and side wall. Structural damage is evident, with tiles ripped away and wooden beams exposed.
Despite the destruction, the coordinated emergency response helped contain the flames quickly, preventing further spread.
“Firefighters began an aggressive fire attack and quickly knocked down the fire. Both homes were occupied at the time, and firefighters assisted with evacuating residents. No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. Both homes were impacted by fire and sustained structural damage,” reads a portion of the VCFD’s Instagram video post.
Additional video footage was shared on YouTube by ABC 7. It includes footage taken by Arman, showing a chilling close-up of the fire that broke out in his backyard when the plane crashed.
The tragedy in Simi Valley follows another similar incident in March, when a small plane traveling from Iowa to Minnesota crashed into a suburban home in Brooklyn Park, igniting a destructive blaze, according to officials.
The aircraft took off on Saturday, March 29, around 12:20 p.m. local time and crashed shortly thereafter into the residential neighborhood, located roughly 11 miles north of Minneapolis. Though the house caught fire, authorities confirmed that no one inside the home was killed.
Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Shawn Conway said there were no survivors among the aircraft’s passengers, though it remains unclear how many people were aboard at the time of the crash. When fire crews arrived, the house was already engulfed in what the chief described as a “fully involved structure fire.”
Footage shared on social media shows intense flames consuming the property as local firefighters battled the blaze.
The NTSB was said to be investigating the crash and announced that its team would arrive on site by Sunday, March 30. Once there, investigators were expected to document the wreckage and examine the aircraft before transferring it to a secure facility for detailed analysis. The cause of the crash remained undetermined.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the tragedy, noting that his office was in communication with local authorities and expressing gratitude for the swift response from first responders.
