Flying school plane strikes 3 homes; Pilot, Indian students survive

Upland, California: A Van Nuys flight instructor and two students suffered only minor to moderate injuries after their plane crashed into three houses just east of Cable Airport on Monday morning.
The twin-engine Piper Seneca was attempting to land at Cable at 10:39 a.m. when it struck a one-story house at 1407 W. Blossom Circle, said Upland Fire Chief Michael Antonucci.
The plane then bounced into the house next door, leaving part of a wing and an engine inside that house.
The body of the plane then landed backward on the garage roof of a third house.
No one was in the homes at the time of the crash.
At least two of the houses suffered severe damage, but Antonucci said all involved are extremely lucky.
He said 52-year-old flight instructor Eli Tousson suffered chest and back injuries, a 34-year-old student suffered back injuries and an 18-year-old student injured an arm.
Tousson, a freelance flight instructor, was guiding two students from India through the checkride - the final step before flight certification.
The two students were not identified.
Tousson was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, said Steve Rez, owner of the Van Nuys-based flight school where Tousson works.
The two flight students were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center.
The six-seat Seneca left earlier in the day from Van Nuys Airport, said airport spokeswoman Diana Sanchez.
Rez, who owns both Roxy Corp. and Aero Club Van Nuys flying schools, said one of the students passed the test Sunday. The other one had failed and was trying again Monday morning.
Rez spoke with Tousson by cell phone after the crash and said he is doing well.
04/06/07 Megan Blaney and Mark Petix/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, US

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Categories: Foreign Jun 2007, Safety Jun 2007