Two People Severely Injured After Small Aircraft Crashes in Ventura County

Two people were severely injured after a small aircraft crashed in Ventura County, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

A small, single engine aircraft crashed into a drainage ditch near the intersection of Carmen Drive and Lucero Street in Camarillo on February 16, 2026, the Ventura County Fire Department shared in a social media update. 

Firefighters from Ventura County and Oxnard Fire, along with crews from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the scene after the crash was reported. 

Firefighters extricated two persons from the aircraft, who were transported to a local hospital, according to the fire department. Both patients were transported with severe injuries and were in critical condition.

VCFD along with Oxnard Fire and VCSO is on scene of a small, single engine aircraft that crashed into a drainage in the area of Carmen Drive and Lucero Street in Camarillo.

Firefighters successfully extricated two patients from the aircraft. Both were transported with severe… pic.twitter.com/erBBJRLfR3

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) February 16, 2026

Camarillo is home to a public-use airport, which was a former defense site and is located about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles. 

Authorities are yet to release the two patients’ identities. 

The aircraft did not collide with any structures or homes in the area, the fire department said. Crews from the two fire departments remained on scene to address and mitigate any remaining hazards.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified about the crash, the fire department added. 

The Ventura County Fire Department also shared an image of the aircraft. The plane is seen lying upside down with visible damages to many parts. 

Authorities have not reported any other injuries. Weather conditions at the time of the crash were not released. 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. 

Single-engine aircraft are usually preferred for their affordability and operational simplicity. They are typically used for pilot training, personal and business travel, light cargo transport, and recreational flying. 

Small aircraft usually feature two to six seats, piston engines, and are known for their high performance and ease of handling. 

In case of a plane crash, the operator of the aircraft is required to alert the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Field Office, per FAA norms. 

The notification must contain the type, nationality, and registration marks of the aircraft, name and owner of the plane, date and time of the accident The NTSB must also be notified of the plane’s last point of departure, point of intended landing, position of the aircraft with reference to an easily defined geographical point, number of persons aboard, number of killed and injured, nature of the accident, extent of known damage to the aircraft, and a description of any explosives, radioactive materials, or other dangerous articles carried. 

Existing radar, communication, and weather data is examined to conduct an investigation of a plane crash.