Categories: News

Video Shows Plane Crashing into Packed Parking Lot Near Race Track ArticlePure

A drag racing competition was interrupted in California on Sunday when a small-engine plane crashed near the race track.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) was hosting its finals on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 17, when a plane crashed in a parking lot near the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip while two of its athletes “were preparing for their crucial first-round race” a statement on the organization’s website explains.

According to the NHRA, the plane was attempting to land at Brackett Field Airport, which is west of the track. The plane was a single-engine Piper PA-32 with four people on board, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in an alert.

Video from the scene shared by ABC News shows the aircraft flying at a low altitude before a loud thud is heard after crashing as event goers watch nearby. One man is heard saying, “An airplane just crashed,” while a woman says, “Airplane! Airplane!”

“We just saw the plane with the smoke behind it, and the next time we looked up, it was already on the ground,” witness Elaine Hernandez told ABC News.

While the FAA said that the aircraft struck two vehicles and a trailer, ABC News reports that at least five cars and three RVs were damaged from the impact.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Scene of passenger crane crash near In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip during the NHRA (Nation Hot Rod Association) finals.

Jon Putman/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock 


Although no one on the ground was injured, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in an update on X that three passengers were transported to local area hospitals with “moderate to severe injuries.”

Los Angeles County Fire Department public information officer Jonathan Torres told The Los Angeles Times that jet fuel spilled after the crash, requiring hazardous materials crews to respond to the scene. The FAA continues to investigate, and no cause for the crash has been released.

Scene of passenger crane crash near In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip during the NHRA (Nation Hot Rod Association) finals.

Jon Putman/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock 


After a short delay, competition resumed, with the NHRA expressing in its statement that it “has been working closely with the Pomona Police Department and L.A. County Fire Department and has been guided to continue racing.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer??, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

PEOPLE reached out to the Los Angeles County Fire Department for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Varshil

Recent Posts

Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Makes Public Debut at Game with Travis Kelce ArticlePure

NEED TO KNOW Taylor Swift’s ring made its debut at a football game for Travis…

6 months ago

Selena Gomez Shares Photos from Her Bachelorette Getaway in Cabo ArticlePure

NEED TO KNOW Selena Gomez shared photos on Instagram from her fun-filled bachelorette celebration in…

6 months ago

Trinity Rodman Breaks into Ben Shelton’s Press Conference with Question ArticlePure

NEED TO KNOW Ben Shelton was hit with a question from an unexpected person during…

6 months ago

Is ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Appropriate for Kids? Here’s What Parents Should Know ArticlePure

NEED TO KNOW KPop Demon Hunters premiered on Netflix in June 2025, earning more than…

6 months ago

High School Musical’s Bart Johnson Reveals How Quickly the First Movie Was Made ArticlePure

NEED TO KNOW Bart Johnson revealed that the cast and crew only had a few…

6 months ago

Pedro Pascal in Talks to Star in Gay Romance After Joaquin Phoenix’s Exit ArticlePure

NEED TO KNOW Pedro Pascal is reportedly being eyed for the lead role in director…

6 months ago