Two dead as small plane crashes into San Diego house

Two people have died after a small plane crashed into a house in a residential neighbourhood of San Diego.

According to CBS News, San Diego Fire Rescue Department chief Brian Fennessy said the plane's pilot reported a "catastrophic" engine failure shortly after takeoff from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

See also: Plane crashes into house in Melbourne

See also: Moment plane crashes on Florida road

The pilot said he was trying to crash land in a school yard with a big field in the back and, whilst he did manage to do that, the landing was too fast and the plane slid into the home.

One witness, Denise Scatena, managed to capture footage of the scene and upload it to social media.

There were four people on the plane at the time of the crash. The pilot and a passenger were taken to hospital with burns, while two passengers are thought to have died at the scene, reports the San Diego Union Tribune.

It is believed a family with a baby are renting the house. Nobody was home but two dogs on the property are thought to have been killed.

The crash caused a large fire at the house, and crews took about 30 minutes to get it under control.

Back in 2014, a pilot was killed when his "amateur built" light aircraft crashed into a home in Melbourne, Australia.

Witnesses said the plane had stalled and collided with a the corner of a house before bursting into flames.

An elderly woman, Herta Nebert, was in her home at the time the plane crashed. According to the BBC, she heard a "tremendous roar", followed by loud bang, adding: "I fell on my knees because the shockwaves came straight from the window and the glass was all over the place.

"I think I'm a very lucky woman. I'm glad to be alive."