Plane crash claims two, ignites blaze

The Canyon fire near Tehachapi began when a Cessna 210 Centurion aircraft crashed near Blackburn Canyon Road near Tehachapi killing both occupants.

Walter Johnson, 72 of Pamona departed from Upland with passenger John Nuckolls, 55 of Claremont Sunday for a flight to the Tehachapi area. Johnson was apparently conducting a flyby near a house when the incident occurred.

Neighbors in the area witnessed the plane flying low with it's landing gear down just before the crash. Although there is no official release from the NTSB, witnesses said it appeared the plane caught a gust of wind which put the aircraft into it's fatal nose-dive.

As of Wednesday morning, Kern County Fire officials report a total of 12 homes and 18 outbuildings have been destroyed. Acreage stands at 14,802 with containment at 60%. Fire personnel anticipate full containment by Friday.

Video © 2011 David Johnson.

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