3 burned, 2 critically, as small plane crashes near airport on California island

3 burned as Cessna crashes near Calif. airport

AVALON, Calif. — Authorities say a small plane has crashed near the airport on California’s Santa Catalina Island, leaving three people with burn injuries and starting a small grass fire.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the Cessna 310 crashed at about 3:40 p.m. Sunday near the island’s airfield, Airport in the Sky.

Authorities say two of the three people aboard had critical burn injuries.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker says a sheriff’s rescue helicopter took all three to mainland hospitals. He had no further details on their condition.

Parker says the crash started a three-acre brush fire.

County firefighters were on the scene and expect to quickly contain it without calling in outside help.