Plane crashes at Pomona drag strip, jolting NHRA championship finals

Two people were critically injured Sunday when a single-engine plane crashed near the track at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, where fans were gathered for the finals of a championship racing event.

First responders on duty for the race noticed a plane flying low around 11:10 a.m. and called in when the aircraft came down for an emergency landing, said Jonathan Torres, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

“They quickly rushed the scene,” Torres said. “They rendered EMS and fire protection, as well.”

The raceway is hosting the National Hot Rod Assn. finals, which were set to culminate Sunday. Races were paused Sunday afternoon as emergency crews worked.

The plane crashed near the drag strip, apparently while attempting to land at nearby Brackett Field Airport, according to a statement posted by NHRA officials. The four people on the aircraft were taken to hospitals, including two with critical injuries, Torres said.

Torres said hazardous materials crews responded to mitigate spilled jet fuel. He said the plane damaged vehicles and trailers at the site.

The cause of the crash and other information about the incident were not immediately available.