A dramatic aviation incident unfolded during a major motorsport event in California, leaving multiple people injured and temporarily halting the competition.
According to Daily Mail, a Piper PA-32 aircraft crashed into the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip around 11:10 a.m. PT on Sunday while attempting to land at nearby Brackett Field Airport, resulting in injuries to three passengers.
The single-engine plane, which departed from Apple Valley at 10:40 a.m. PST, collided with several vehicles at the racing venue, including a large RV and two pickup trucks.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to address the situation and provide medical assistance to the injured parties.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department swiftly responded to the incident, transporting three passengers to local hospitals with injuries ranging from moderate to severe.
Despite the severity of the crash, no fatalities were reported, and no bystanders were harmed during the incident.
The Pomona Police Department confirmed that while the airplane struck multiple vehicles on the ground, all occupants of the aircraft survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Fire crews were observed at the scene, managing the aftermath and spraying down the affected area.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) finals were temporarily suspended as a result of the crash. Race officials halted the Top Fuel round just as competitors were preparing to enter the first round of competition.
The Federal Aviation Administration was promptly notified of the incident, with National Transportation Safety Board investigators dispatched to the scene to begin their examination of the crash site.
The NHRA released an official statement regarding the incident, saying:
We are investigating an apparent small plane crash near the dragstrip in Pomona while it was apparently attempting to land at nearby Brackett Field Airport on Sunday. Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this incident. We are on extended hold. All race cars have returned to the pits for now, but the word is the event is expected to continue.
Officials worked diligently to assess the situation and determine when it would be safe to resume the racing event. The organization announced plans to restart the competition at 1 p.m. PT, demonstrating their commitment to both safety and event continuity.
A Piper PA-32 aircraft crashed at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip during the NHRA finals on Sunday, causing injuries to three passengers and significant damage to multiple vehicles. The incident occurred as the plane attempted to land at Brackett Field Airport in La Verne.
The emergency situation prompted an immediate response from local authorities and temporarily suspended the racing event, though no fatalities were reported. Federal aviation investigators are now working to determine the cause of the crash while the NHRA has resumed its competition schedule.
