Small Plane Crashes Near Goleta Highway, Two Injured

GOLETA, Calif. – A small private aircraft crashed near Highway 101 in Goleta on Wednesday afternoon, leaving two people with major injuries and sparking a small grass fire, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 2:15 p.m. near the Storke Road offramp, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The aircraft was on fire when first responders arrived, and the flames spread to nearby grass before being contained by 2:40 p.m.

Two individuals were transported to a hospital with major injuries, officials confirmed. No fatalities have been reported.

The crash site is located alongside northbound Highway 101 between Los Carneros Road and Storke Road. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office urged drivers to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to work.

The California Department of Transportation District 5 closed the northbound Highway 101 number two lane and the Los Carneros on-ramp as part of the response. The duration of the closure remains unknown.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office shared an image of the scene, showing the aircraft in a field with smoke rising from the wreckage.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.