On 19 April 2019 a Beechcraft B60 Duke plane crash during takeoff at Fullerton Municipal Airport (KFUL), Fullerton, CA
The aircraft impacted airport terrain and a subsequent fire ensued during a takeoff attempt. The aeroplane was destroyed during the accident sequence and the sole pilot onboard received fatal injuries.
The 48-year-old pilot killed in a fiery plane crash in Fullerton was a Southern California native and dentist who recently moved to Utah and commuted back and forth between the two states, his mother said Friday.
Robert Ellis was taking off at around 7:50 p.m. at the Fullerton Municipal Airport, at 4011 W. Commonwealth Ave., when his Beechcraft Duke crashed near Runway 24 and burst into flames, according to Fullerton police.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
The small plane had just been gassed up and was traveling about 15 feet above ground at about 80 mph when it suddenly veered to the left and plowed into the pavement, according to Fullerton fire officials.
“The aircraft rolled to the left and caught fire,” Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.
It’s still unclear what led to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Cell phone video shows flames and smoke shortly after the crash. A twin-engine Beechcraft Duke crashed while departing from Runway 24 at Fullerton Municipal Airport, according to the FAA . (Courtesy of Ana Luna) @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/KmcQHRbvVt
— Hetty Chang (@HettyNBCLA) April 19, 2019
