At least one person is killed after a Cessna 180 plane crashes into hills north of Ventura County and explodes
- A Cessna 180 crashed near the 101 Freeway in Ventura County, in California
- At least one person was killed after the plane went down and exploded Thursday
- An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash which occurred at noon
- Records show the plane was owned by Michael Brannigan, 52, of California
- However police are yet to confirm who the casualty of the crash was
At least one person was killed when a small plane crashed into hills north of Ventura County.
The Cessna 180 crashed near the 101 Freeway and Taylor Ranch Road, in California, on Thursday.
Authorities have not yet released the name of the individual who died, but records show the plane was owned by Michael Brannigan, 52, of Lake Sherwood, California.
Brannigan, a married events photographer, is listed as owning two Cessna planes - including the one that crashed - and only renewed his medical for his pilot's license last month.
Witnesses say they heard a loud bang and saw the small plane flying very low over Emma Wood State Beach before it went down on the hill at around noon on Thursday.
At least one person was killed when a small plane crashed into the hills, north of Ventura County (pictured is the wreckage)
They also reported seeing debris fall from the sky and the main body of an aircraft crash into the mountains just east of there, the Ventura County Star reported.
Debris landed as far as just north of Ventura city limits, while a second debris field was found south of Highway 101 on the beach, officials said.
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Early reports suggested another plane had been involved in the crash but Ventura County Fire Department now believe only one plane was involved.
'It is highly unusual for an aircraft to be in multiple pieces this far apart,' Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer Steve Swindle said.
The Cessna 180 crashed near the 101 Freeway and Taylor Ranch Road, in California, on Thursday
Debris landed as far as just north of Ventura city limits, while a second debris field was found south of Highway 101 on the beach
'I can't confirm that it did explode - it is conjecture - but it's a little bit odd.'
An investigation is currently underway into the cause of the crash.
It is not yet known where the plane originated or where it was headed.
'A Cessna 180 crashed north of Ventura near the 101 and Taylor (Ranch) Road under unknown circumstances,' FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said in an email.
The beach alongside the 101 Freeway has been closed as authorities combed the area for debris. A temporary flight restriction was also issued within a two mile radius of the crash site after reports of a second plane in the area.
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