A small plane crashed into the center divider on the westbound side of the Ventura (101) Freeway Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 23. The crash forced closures in all lanes on both sides of the freeway, from Lost Hills to Liberty Canyon roads, as LA County Fire Department personnel respond to the incident.
According to LACoFD spokesperson Marvin Lim, the crash was first reported at 1:45 p.m., with authorities on scene five minutes later.
“The pilot was safely removed and was not injured,” Lim confirmed to The Malibu Times, adding that the pilot was the sole person in the plane.
No drivers on the road at the time were injured by the crash.
The plane caught on fire, but the fire department reported knock down at 2:13 p.m.
California Highway Patrol spokesperson Weston Haver described it as a “vintage airplane.”
The Van Nuys Airport, located in the San Fernando Valley, confirmed the plane—identified as an “AT-6 aircraft”—was part of the Condor Squadron vintage flying club on social media.
The Condor Squadron is a nonprofit organization founded by World War II fighter pilots, according to its website. The plane involved in the crash had World War II era insignia.
It is not yet clear what caused the plane to crash down onto the freeway. Motorists are advised to take alternate routes as the cleanup continues.
Editor’s note: This brief has been updated with information from the Van Nuys airport.
This will be updated as more information is made available.
