A father-daughter duo lost their lives when their small aircraft crashed into a building near Fullerton Municipal Airport, leaving a community in mourning.
A tragic plane crash near Fullerton Municipal Airport on Thursday claimed the lives of Pascal Reid, a Huntington Beach pilot, and his teenage daughter, Kelly Reid. The pair were aboard a Vans RV-10 aircraft when it struck a furniture factory building during an attempted emergency landing, according to federal aviation officials.
Kelly, a student at Huntington Beach High School, was remembered for her compassion and dedication by her school’s Girls’ Soccer Team, which posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. “Kelly was a natural caregiver and always put others first. She will be deeply missed. Her father was at every single game, always so proud of his daughter,” the post read.
Pascal Reid, who owned the plane, was described by friends as a responsible and experienced pilot. Tim Olson, a fellow aviation enthusiast, recalled Reid as “diligent” and someone who frequently shared his love of flying. “It’s real sad to hear that it ended this way for him,” Olson said. “I know from talking back and forth that he did travel, camped out with his plane around the country a bunch.”
The crash occurred shortly after the RV-10, a homebuilt single-engine plane, took off. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records indicate that Reid attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing but fell short of the runway. Preliminary reports show that Reid radioed the tower about the emergency 90 seconds into the flight but did not specify the issue.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane struggle before the crash. Video footage showed the aircraft banking left before striking the building’s roof, sparking a massive fireball. “We thought it was going to hit us,” said Daniel Villalvazo, who was nearby at the time.
The crash caused significant destruction at Michael Nicholas Designs, where 19 employees were injured, with 11 hospitalized, including several with burns. Over 100 workers were evacuated as firefighters battled the blaze. The factory was red-tagged, pending structural evaluation and the removal of the wreckage.
A private vigil for Pascal and Kelly Reid was held Friday at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach. Friends and classmates honored Kelly’s vibrant personality and hard work. “She was as joyous as one can be,” said Maia Dadakis, a close friend and classmate. “I think what I want to carry on from her is that hard work and passion she had for every little thing she did.”
Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA, continue to investigate the cause of the crash, which occurred under “unknown circumstances.”
