Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Huntington Beach

A small plane made a successful emergency landing on Huntington State Beach Monday afternoon after experiencing engine trouble shortly after takeoff from John Wayne Airport.

At approximately 2:05 p.m. on July 27, 2026, the pilot of a Piper Cherokee 140 reported an engine failure after departing from Santa Ana’s John Wayne Airport. The pilot advised air traffic control that he intended to land on the beach near the Huntington Beach smokestacks.

Another aircraft flying overhead later reported that the pilot appeared to have safely exited the plane following the landing.

Huntington Beach Fire Department crews responded to Tower 8, just south of the Huntington Beach Pier, where they confirmed the single-engine aircraft had landed on the sand. Officials reported there were no injuries.

Witnesses on the beach said they saw a large plume of sand moments before noticing the aircraft resting on the shoreline. The emergency landing occurred during one of the busiest weeks of the year, as Huntington Beach is hosting the U.S. Open of Surfing.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators responded to the scene to begin investigating the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing.