US: Small Plane Crashes on Busy San Jose Road, Three Injured

October 21, 2026

San Jose, California: A small plane crashed onto a busy road in San Jose, California, on Saturday afternoon, leaving three people injured. The aircraft came down near an overpass and landed nose-first on the roadway. All three people on board, including a child, survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash took place shortly after 3 pm on October 17 near the intersection of Capitol Expressway and Excalibur Drive, close to Reid-Hillview Airport. Dashcam footage captured the moment the plane came down, narrowly avoiding vehicles travelling along the road.

According to the San Jose Fire Department, two adults and a child were aboard the aircraft. All three were taken to hospital for treatment. No one on the ground was injured, and no vehicles were involved in the crash.

Dashcam Footage Captures the Crash

The footage shows the small aircraft dropping towards the road before hitting an overpass and coming to rest nose-down. The crash caused traffic disruption as emergency crews arrived and secured the area.

The aircraft was identified as a 1968 Cessna 177A Cardinal, a single-engine propeller plane. Reports citing aviation authorities said the pilot had reported engine trouble shortly before the crash. Investigators have not yet confirmed what caused the aircraft to go down.

Fuel Spill Contained After the Crash

The crash caused a minor fuel spill, which emergency crews contained and absorbed. Authorities also had to clear the damaged aircraft from the road. The operation took around three hours and disrupted traffic in the area. The Alum Rock Avenue off-ramp from Highway 680 was briefly closed.

Federal Aviation Administration records show that the aircraft was registered to Flying Twenty Inc., a nonprofit flying club whose members include San Jose State University students, alumni and faculty. The university has clarified that the club operates independently and is not run by the institution.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The cause has not yet been officially established.