Plane On Approach To Land At Small Airport

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 09.01.07 0925 EDT: A family of six is reported lost following the Friday evening crash of a single-engine aircraft near California's Kern Valley Airport.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told The Associated Press the aircraft was on approach to land at L05 following a trip from Santa Monica, CA when the aircraft -- described as a Lancair Columbia in news reports -- went down at approximately 1740 local time Friday.

Circumstances surrounding the crash remain unknown at this time.

"Witnesses said the aircraft appeared to stall, but that's preliminary," Gregor said.

Airport mananger Jeltje Nelson told CNN the aircraft crashed alongside the airport's 3,500' x 50' runway. The plane was on its second approach to land at the airport, after going around the first time.

At least one infant was reported onboard the four-seat aircraft, according to the FAA. The family was heading to Lake Isabella, located approximately 40 statute miles northeast of Bakersfield, on a camping trip.

The crash sparked a one-acre brush fire, said Kern County Fire Department Capt. Tommy Brown, but the fire was quickly contained.

FMI: www.faa.gov