AUBURN, Wash. — The pilot of a small plane was killed when it crashed into the roof of a building in Auburn on Thursday, according to the Auburn Police Department.
A Vans RV12 airplane crashed around 12:20 p.m. into a warehouse, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the incident.
HAZMAT crews were still on scene later in the afternoon due to a fuel leak, according to Kelly Hawks with Valley Regional Fire Authority.
The public was asked to avoid the area around 425 C Street NW in Auburn while crews worked the scene.
KING 5 was told at the scene that the plane crashed through the roof of the building. Several pieces of the plane could be seen from above on the roof.
The building the plane crashed into was occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported from any employees that were inside, according to Valley Regional Fire.
TJ Steufen said the crash was about 40 feet from where he was working in a fabrication shop at the time. People inside tried to get to the lobby after hearing the crash, but they couldn't get around the debris.
"I came out and somebody said a plane crash into the building and I thought they were joking," Steufen said, adding the plane could have hit a fuel farm.
An NTSB investigator arrived at the site Friday morning to document the scene and examine the airplane. The airplane will then be taken to a facility to be further evaluated.
During its investigation, the NTSB will gather information about the pilot, the airplane and the operating environment. It will look at flight track data, air traffic control recordings, maintenance records, weather forecasts and the pilot's license and flight experience, among other things.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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