Yahoo Autos NHRA Finals temporarily halted due to plane crash in Pomona
A single-engine plane crash in a motorhome lot near the top end of the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip halted Sunday’s championship finale for almost two hours.
A call came in at approximately 11:11 a.m. local time by responders who were on the scene for the NHRA Finals. The plane made contact with multiple vehicles in the lot before hitting the ground. There were three visibly damaged vehicles at the crash scene — two pickup trucks and an SUV.
Kelly Crandall
The plane ended up nose-first into an RV, which was moved out of place by the incident. The cause of the crash is unknown and the investigation continues. The NTSB and the FAA have been notified.
“From what we know, the units rendered life-saving emergency medical services as well as mitigating any fire potential from the surrounding vehicles, generators, and things of that sort,” engineer Jonathan Torres, the public information officer for L.A. County Fire, told media at the scene. “From what we know, we have two critical patients and two moderate that have been transported to local emergency rooms.”
There were no known injuries to individuals on the ground. Local law enforcement, fire, and medical crews were on the scene. NHRA safety teams also responded.
Motorhomes are located past the grandstand on the left side of the dragstrip toward the top end of the facility. Both motorhomes and private vehicles were parked in the area. Brackett Field Airport sits to the right of the dragstrip.
“Today, a small single-engine airplane crashed at the Pomona Fairplex,” a statement from NHRA read. “The pilot and three occupants of the aircraft all suffered minor to moderate non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated at a nearby hospital. The NHRA has been working closely with the Pomona Police Department and L.A. County Fire Department and has been guided to continue racing.”
NHRA began its Sunday event at 11 a.m. local time. The action resumed at approximately 12:50 p.m. local.
