COSTA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) - Two people are injured after a small plane crashed Friday on the 405 freeway in Orange County near John Wayne Airport.
Orange County Fire Captain Larry Kurtz said the Cessna 310 crashed at 9:30 a.m.
Two people were injured and taken to the hospital by helicopter.
Fire officials shut down Interstate 405 in both directions at MacArthur Blvd. Wreckage from the plane is scattered on both sides of the freeway.
A woman who had been on the plane pulled a man from the wreckage and said he was her husband, according to a witness who spoke to KABC.
Witnesses told KABC they saw several people who needed medical attention. Many of the witnesses rushed to help.
KABC is reporting at least two people suffered critical injuries. It is unclear if the injured parties were on the plane or drivers on the freeway.
Before the crash, a mayday call to the airport's tower was issued, where the pilot said they had experienced engine failure:
4:03 Pilot: Hey, we hot a mayday. We got a may..(cutoff)
4:07 Pilot: 87297, Mayday! Mayday!
4:16 Pilot: We’re trying to make it back to the airport.
5:02 ATC: Gear appears to be up for 297
Pilot: Yeah, I know. We’re still trying to get a little altitude. I’ll put I down when I get to final, 297. I lost my right engine!
Southbound traffic on the freeway was backed up for miles.
Video shows moment of impact when small plane crashes on 405 Freeway in Southern California. https://t.co/Rb7cKwYRCv pic.twitter.com/upyvgje3dO
— ABC News (@ABC) June 30, 2017
NEW: Video shows smoke and flames from a small plane that crash landed on the 405 Freeway in Southern California. https://t.co/O0pXTKDQ3y pic.twitter.com/EfJtvnUpml
— ABC News (@ABC) June 30, 2017
Small aircraft crashed on 405 at John Wayne #crash #johnwayne #405 pic.twitter.com/aQSOwtuSZi
— Rafi Mamalian (@rafimama) June 30, 2017
Just saw a plane just crash land on the 405 freeway right in front of me! Scariest thing I've ever seen! @KTLA pic.twitter.com/8x2OFjgli9
— Christian (@TubbyR) June 30, 2017
#breaking perspective of 405 Fwy plane crash from @CBSLA viewer, SB lanes of freeway are shut down, pretty chaotic. pic.twitter.com/cQ0NNz92I5
— Tara Finestone (@tarawallis) June 30, 2017
John Wayne Airport is closed to arrivals.
The crash happened at the start of the busy Fourth of July travel holiday. Check traffic conditions HERE.
10News is monitoring this breaking story.
