High school student, father identified as victims killed in Fullerton plane crash
Jan 03, 2025
The two people who were killed when a plane crashed into the roof of a warehouse in Fullerton were identified Friday as a Huntington Beach pilot and his teenage daughter.
Kelly Reid, a 16-year-old high school student and her father, Pascal Reid, were killed in the crash, according to announcements posted by the Huntington Beach High School girls’ soccer and flag football teams posted on social media.
Kelly was a junior at Huntington Beach High who played varsity soccer, lacrosse and flag football at the school.
From left: Kelly Reid, a 16-year-old student at Huntington Beach High School is seen in a school photo. / Her father, Pascal Reid is seen in a personal photo.Teammates and loved ones honored Kelly Reid, a varsity soccer player at Huntington Beach High School, on Jan. 3, 2024. (Huntington Beach High School Girls Soccer)Kelly Reid, a 16-year-old student at Huntington Beach High School, is seen in her uniform as a player for the girls' flag football team. (Huntington Beach High School Girls Flag Football)First responders treat an undetermined amount of injured after a plane crashed in a Fullerton warehouse Thursday afternoon, Jan. 2, 2025. (KTLA)Video posted to the Citizen App shows smoke billowing from the site of a plane crash in Fullerton on Jan. 2, 2025. (Citizen App)This image taken from video, shows an explosive fire as a small plane crashes into a commercial building in Fullerton, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (RUCCI FORGED via AP)This image taken from video, shows an explosive fire as a small plane crashes into a commercial building in Fullerton, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (RUCCI FORGED via AP)Firefighters respond to a commercial building where a small plane crashed on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Fullerton, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)A woman is carried on a stretcher near the site of a plane crash, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Fullerton, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)People stand outside of a building where a plane crash occurred Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Fullerton, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)Firefighters work the scene of a plane crash Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Fullerton, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)Firefighters tend to people after a plane crashed through the roof of a building near Fullerton airport on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Fullerton, Calif. (Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/The Orange County Register via AP)Workers stand near police lines at the scene of a small plane crash, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Fullerton, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)Video posted to the Citizen App shows smoke billowing from the site of a plane crash in Fullerton on Jan. 2, 2025. (Citizen App)First responders treat an undetermined amount of injured after a plane crashed in a Fullerton warehouse Thursday afternoon, Jan. 2, 2025. (KTLA)The roof of a furniture manufacturing facility where a plane crashed on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024. (KTLA)
“Yesterday, our soccer family suffered an unimaginable loss,” the soccer team’s post read. “Kelly was an amazing girl...genuine and kind with such passion for life. Kelly was a natural caregiver and always put others first. She will be deeply missed. Her father was at every single game, always so proud of his daughter. Our love and prayers go out to Tara and Rebekah Reid.”
On Thursday, Jan. 2, the teen and her father were aboard a Van’s RV-10 aircraft that took off from the Fullerton Municipal Airport. The aircraft is a single-engine homebuilt kit model with seating for up to four people.
Shortly after taking off, Pascal, who was piloting the plane, attempted to make an emergency landing back at the airport but crashed onto the roof of a furniture manufacturing warehouse on the 2300 block of West Raymer Avenue, about 1,000 feet away from the runway.
The crash also sparked a fire inside the building.
Kelly and Pascal were killed in the crash and 19 employees who were inside the Michael Nicholas Designs warehouse were injured, with several victims suffering burn injuries.
Eleven people were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while eight others were treated and released at the scene.
"One of my coworkers had his hair burned off, his shirt was also burned off, it was only a few pieces of fabric left on his back," said Edwin Cano, an employee at the warehouse.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze inside while nearby buildings were evacuated for safety. The warehouse was later red-tagged as the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
On Friday, aviation officials announced they were working to understand the events that caused the plane to lose altitude. Recordings between Pascal and air traffic control indicated that the plane experienced an emergency that required an immediate return to the airport.
Panic and gasping could be heard as Pascal said, “Oh my God…” before his audio cut out.
"The plane appeared to make a 180-degree left turn ... and ultimately crashed about 1000 feet short of the runway," Eliott Simpson, an NTSB spokesperson said during a news conference Thursday night.
People attend a vigil at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, for those killed in a small plane crash taking off from the Fullerton Municipal Airport the day before. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)Huntington Beach, CA - January 03: People attend vigil at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, January 3, 2025, for victims of a plane crash in Fullerton on Thursday.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)Huntington Beach, CA - January 03: People attend vigil at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, January 3, 2025, for victims of a plane crash in Fullerton on Thursday.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)Huntington Beach, CA - January 03: People attend vigil at First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, January 3, 2025, for victims of a plane crash in Fullerton on Thursday.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)From left: Kelly Reid, a 16-year-old student at Huntington Beach High School is seen in a school photo. / Her father, Pascal Reid is seen in a personal photo.Kelly Reid, a 16-year-old student at Huntington Beach High School, is seen in her uniform as a player for the girls' flag football team. (Huntington Beach High School Girls Flag Football)
The wreckage will be removed from the warehouse before being transported to a remote storage facility for additional investigation.
On Friday night, loved ones continued mourning the loss of the father and daughter. Huntington Beach High School’s flag football team honored Kelly in a social media post saying in part:
“Kelly was the most loving teammate, friend, and a truly remarkable person who touched the lives of so many with her kindness and warmth. Kelly was one of the most passionate athletes who strived for nothing but success in everything she did. Playing three sports and excelling in all three. She was a leader both on and off the field, mentoring many, as well as leaving a stamp on everyone she touched. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, Kelly. You’ll always be in our hearts.”
A vigil was held for the father and daughter at Friends Christian Church in Huntington Beach on Friday afternoon.
More details on the investigation are expected to be released in the coming week.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.