Local News
Pilot and Pedestrian Recovering After Small Plane Crash-Lands in Long Beach Park
An experimental home-built plane made an emergency landing in Long Beach’s Heartwell Park, injuring the pilot and a deaf pedestrian. Both survived and are recovering as the FAA investigates.
Last Updated on October 25, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Officials and aviation community share updates after an experimental aircraft made an emergency landing in Heartwell Park.
LONG BEACH, Calif. — October 25, 2025 — A routine flight turned into a life-threatening emergency Tuesday afternoon when a home-built experimental aircraft made a crash landing at Heartwell Park in Long Beach. The two-seat plane, piloted by an experienced aviator from the Compton/Woodley Airport community, came down on a soccer field, injuring both the pilot and a pedestrian walking her dog nearby.
According to officials, the plane suffered a power loss before touching down near Carson Street and Clark Avenue, where families and athletes often gather for recreational sports.
Emergency Landing and Rapid Response
The Long Beach Fire Department arrived within minutes of the call, finding the small aircraft on its belly with its landing gear collapsed. Both the pilot, an older male, and the pedestrian — later identified as Tiffany Harrison, 43 — were transported to local hospitals in moderate but stable condition.
“When units arrived, they found one small aircraft on its belly with broken landing gear. The fuselage was intact,”
— Long Beach Fire Department statement.
Mayor Rex Richardson called the outcome “a miracle,” emphasizing that despite the severity of the crash, there were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries.
“The good news is it could have been a whole lot worse,” Richardson said. “We are fortunate in that there have been no fatalities, no serious injuries.”
— Mayor Rex Richardson, Long Beach.
Updates on the Victims
Harrison, who is deaf, did not hear the aircraft’s approach as she walked her dog through the park. She sustained significant injuries, including fractures to her pelvis and spine, and a deep leg wound that required surgery and multiple blood transfusions. Her family reports that her dog was miraculously unharmed.
Her sister, Brittany McFall, shared that Tiffany’s recovery will be long and emotionally taxing.
“She’s probably going to have PTSD,” McFall said. “A normal person wouldn’t just walk in the park and have this freak accident happen.”
— via People Magazine.
The pilot, a veteran flyer affiliated with EAA Chapter 96, is also recovering in stable condition. Members of the aviation group described him as experienced and safety-conscious.
“He’s a good pilot. He’s been flying for many, many years,” said Dennis Lord, hangar manager for EAA Chapter 96. “They are certified by the FAA — there are hundreds of these aircraft flying over Southern California all the time.”
— via ABC7 Los Angeles.
The Aircraft and Ongoing Investigation
The aircraft is categorized as home-built experimental, a designation common among aviation hobbyists who construct and operate FAA-certified planes. The aircraft reportedly took off from Compton/Woodley Airport, made a stop in French Valley, and was returning west when the engine lost power.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are now examining the wreckage to determine the cause of the power failure.
Local aviation enthusiasts say the pilot’s decision to aim for the open soccer field likely saved lives.
“He did exactly what a pilot should do in an emergency — look for a clear, open space,” Lord added. “Heartwell Park was the safest possible place under the circumstances.”
— EAA Chapter 96 comment.
Community Reflection and Safety Awareness
The crash has renewed discussions around aviation safety in urban areas where recreational spaces and flight paths coexist. Long Beach residents expressed gratitude that the park’s youth leagues were not active at the time of the crash.
City officials have temporarily restricted access to portions of the park while federal investigators complete their fieldwork.
“This was an incredibly close call,” said Long Beach Parks and Recreation spokesperson Lydia Campos. “We’re reviewing protocols with aviation authorities to understand how we can better communicate when small aircraft operate near populated areas.”
Footnote:
During the Heartwell Park crash, Tiffany Harrison was walking her dog. Thankfully, while Tiffany was injured, her faithful companion escaped unharmed, a small relief amid the chaos. The community has expressed support and relief for both Tiffany and her dog, though no further details about the dog’s name or breed have been shared. (People, CBS Los Angeles)
Further Reading
For those following the story, here are several reliable sources with in-depth coverage and updates:
- Plane making an emergency landing on soccer field leaves 2 hospitalized – People
- Deaf woman hit by plane while walking her dog – People
- Small plane hit deaf woman walking dog when it crashed on Long Beach soccer field – ABC7 Los Angeles
- Woman hit by small plane that crash-lands at busy Long Beach park – Long Beach Post
- 2 hospitalized after small plane crashes in Long Beach – CBS Los Angeles
STM Daily News will continue to monitor updates from the FAA and NTSB as the investigation unfolds, as well as recovery reports from Tiffany Harrison and the pilot in the coming weeks.
📍 For more local updates, visit STM Daily News.
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Last Updated on March 27, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Metrolink will offer special 3 a.m. San Bernardino Line trains on March 28 and 29 for Beyond Wonderland Southern California attendees traveling home from the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino.
The late-night trains will stop at Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Montclair, Claremont, Pomona-North, Covina, El Monte, Cal State LA and LA Union Station.
Festivalgoers heading to the event can ride any regularly scheduled San Bernardino Line train to San Bernardino-Downtown Station, which is about a mile from the venue.
Riders must buy a $25 Insomniac Events Beyond Wonderland Special Train ticket through the Metrolink Mobile App. The ticket works as a multi-day pass starting Friday, March 27, and includes unlimited rides on Metrolink along with access to the special 3 a.m. return service.
To purchase in the app, riders should tap Buy Tickets, select their origin station, choose San Bernardino-Downtown as the destination, then select Insomniac Events as the ticket type.
Metrolink said the special Insomniac Events ticket is required to board the 3 a.m. trains. Monthly passes, 5-Day Flex Passes and standard discount programs will not be accepted for this service.
More information is available at metrolinktrains.com/beyond.
Source
Related Links
- Metrolink Beyond Wonderland Special Service Information
- Beyond Wonderland Southern California Official Event Page
- NOS Events Center Official Website
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Entertainment
Little Woodrow’s Launches 2026 Turtle Racing Season With ‘TurtleVerse’ Theme
Little Woodrow’s has launched its 2026 turtle racing season with a new TurtleVerse theme, bringing weekly Thursday night races, themed turtle competitors and a new loyalty program to locations across Texas.
Little Woodrow’s Opens 2026 Turtle Racing Season Across Texas
Little Woodrow’s is bringing back one of its most recognizable Thursday night traditions with the launch of its 2026 turtle racing season, this year under a new retro sci-fi-inspired theme called TurtleVerse. The season officially began March 5 and runs weekly through Nov. 19 at participating locations in Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Austin and, later this spring, Frisco.
The long-running event, which started in Midtown Houston nearly two decades ago, has grown into a signature piece of the Texas neighborhood bar chain’s identity. This year’s TurtleVerse concept adds a comic-book-style multiverse angle to the races, pairing the usual crowd energy with themed branding and a lineup of turtles carrying names like Turtle Swift, Shellvester Stallone and Timothée Shellamet.
Woody’s Brands President Ray Risley said the company wanted to build on one of Little Woodrow’s most popular traditions by leaning into both nostalgia and humor. In addition to the themed races, the company is also introducing a new Turtle Journey loyalty program, allowing guests to check in, earn points and redeem rewards throughout the season.
Little Woodrow’s said races begin at 7 or 8 p.m., depending on location. Fans can find schedules, turtle bios and loyalty program details at Little Woodrow’s website.
Related Links
Source
Source: Woody’s Brands via PRNewswire
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Downtown Phoenix experienced the thunder of Formula 1 engines once again on Saturday, March 14, 2026, when the Red Bull Showrun transformed East Jefferson Street into a temporary motorsports stage. The free public event drew large crowds eager to see a real Formula 1 car perform high-speed demonstrations through the heart of the city.
The star of the event was the legendary Red Bull RB7, one of the most dominant machines in modern Formula 1 history. Fans watched as the car blasted down the temporary street course performing burnouts, donuts, and acceleration runs that echoed between downtown buildings.
A Championship Machine on City Streets
Originally driven to the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship by Sebastian Vettel, the RB7 represents a golden era for Red Bull Racing. The car is known for its aerodynamic design and remarkable performance during the 2011 season.
During the Phoenix showrun, the car was piloted by Scott Speed, a former Formula 1 competitor and experienced motorsports driver. He was joined by Nikola Tsolov, a rising talent in Red Bull’s junior driver development program.
Together, the drivers delivered a high-energy demonstration that gave spectators a rare opportunity to witness the power and precision of Formula 1 machinery up close.
A Tribute to Phoenix’s Formula 1 Legacy
The event also served as a reminder of Phoenix’s unique place in Formula 1 history. The city previously hosted the United States Grand Prix (Phoenix street circuit), which ran through downtown streets from 1989 through 1991.
During those races, fans watched legendary drivers such as Ayrton Senna compete on the challenging desert street circuit.
Although the Grand Prix eventually moved to other locations, the Red Bull Showrun brought the spirit of Formula 1 back to Phoenix for a new generation of motorsports fans.
Formula 1’s Growing U.S. Momentum
The Phoenix showrun comes at a time when Formula One is experiencing unprecedented growth in the United States. The sport now hosts three annual races in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas.
Promotional events like the Red Bull Showrun help introduce the sport to new audiences and reconnect cities with their racing heritage.
For longtime Phoenix residents, the sound of a Formula 1 engine echoing through downtown streets was more than just a spectacle—it was a powerful reminder of the city’s motorsports past and the growing popularity of Formula 1 across America. 🏎️🔥
Related External Coverage
- Official Red Bull Showrun Phoenix Event Page
- Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5): Coverage of the Red Bull Showrun in Downtown Phoenix
- Formula 1 Official Website – Learn More About the Sport
- City of Phoenix – Downtown Events and Street Closures
- History of the Phoenix Street Circuit and the U.S. Grand Prix (1989–1991)
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