Authorities investigate small plane crashes on two consecutive days in Santa Paula

Authorities are investigating small plane crashes on two consecutive days in Santa Paula.

The first accident occurred Saturday afternoon near S. Largo Lane and W. Telegraph Road.

The cause of the crash of the single-engine Aviat Husky A-1C is unclear, but SkyCal flew over the accident site, where a small group of people was seen near the aircraft.

The plane did not appear to have sustained major damage, but its nose and tail were resting in the sand of the Santa Clara River.

“A single-engine Aviat Husky A-1C landed in a dry riverbed in Fillmore, California, after the pilot reported engine problems at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, August 24,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. “Only the pilot was on board. The FAA will investigate.”

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Almost 24 hours later, on Sunday at around 12:30 p.m., the crash of a second small plane was reported immediately after takeoff from Santa Paula Airport.

According to the Ventura County Fire Department, the pilot suffered serious injuries in the crash, which occurred for unknown reasons.

Upon impact, a fire broke out, which the fire department was able to confine to the aircraft.

“A single-engine Pitts S-1 crashed shortly after takeoff from Santa Paula Airport in California at approximately 12:25 p.m. local time on Sunday, August 25. Only the pilot was on board,” the FAA said in a statement. “The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident.”