Civil air patrol pilot dies in plane crash near Whiteman Airport

A Civil Air Patrol airplane crashed into a neighborhood just short of Whiteman Airport in Pacoima on Thursday, November 12, killing the pilot and setting several cars ablaze, Report says, citing KABC.

The single-engine Cessna 172 crashed on approach to Runway 12 around 11:56 a.m., Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.

The plane crashed a few hundred feet short of the runway in front of several homes, knocking down power lines, and the flames spread to trees and vegetation. But firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the structures.

The pilot was the only person on board, Gregor said. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that the pilot died. No other injuries were reported.