5 Critical Facts About The Pascal Reid Huntington Beach Tragedy And The NTSB's Faulty Door Finding

The tragic story of Pascal Reid and his daughter Kelly, beloved residents of Huntington Beach, remains a profoundly sensitive and widely discussed topic across Southern California as of this December 13, 2025. The father and daughter were victims of a devastating single-engine plane crash that occurred earlier this year, on January 2, 2025, near Fullerton Airport. This event not only shocked the local Huntington Beach community, especially the students and faculty at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS), but also drew national attention due to the circumstances revealed in the subsequent investigation.

The latest and most crucial information comes from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report, which has provided a clearer, albeit heartbreaking, picture of the final moments of the flight. The investigation points to a critical mechanical failure—specifically a faulty or unlatched door on the amateur-built aircraft—as a major contributing factor in the tragedy. This fresh information provides key context to the accident, moving the narrative beyond initial reports of a simple engine failure to a more complex sequence of events involving the pilot's panicked attempt to land.

The Lives of Pascal and Kelly Reid: A Huntington Beach Family Profile

Pascal Reid and his daughter Kelly were deeply integrated into the fabric of the Huntington Beach community, leaving behind a legacy of passion, athleticism, and dedication. Their sudden loss on January 2, 2025, created a void felt across Orange County.

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• Pascal Reid (Pilot/Owner): Born on May 6, 1966, in France, Pascal Reid was 58 years old at the time of the accident. He was the owner and pilot of the amateur-built Van's RV-10 aircraft (registration N8757R). Reid was a passionate aviator, a detail that adds a layer of sorrow to the accident's cause. His residence was in Huntington Beach, California.
• Kelly Reid (Passenger): Kelly was a bright and talented 16-year-old, born on May 5, 2008, in Huntington Beach. She was a dedicated junior at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS). Kelly was a multi-sport student-athlete, excelling particularly on the HBHS varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. Her vibrant presence was a major part of the high school's athletic community.
• The Aircraft: The plane involved was a Van's RV-10, a popular model of amateur-built, four-seat aircraft. The fact that it was an amateur-built plane, rather than a factory-manufactured one, became a focal point for the NTSB's examination of the door latching mechanism.
• Memorial and Community Response: A memorial service was held for Pascal and Kelly at Compass Bible Church in Huntington Beach, a testament to the community's collective grief and support for the family.

The NTSB Preliminary Report: How a Faulty Door Led to Disaster

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the Fullerton plane crash, which occurred in the 2300 block of Raymer Avenue, quickly focused on the aircraft's door mechanism. The preliminary findings offer a detailed, minute-by-minute account of the final flight.

The Critical Door Malfunction

The most significant finding in the NTSB's preliminary report was the issue with the aircraft's door. The report indicates that the pilot, Pascal Reid, realized the pilot-side cabin door was either unlatched or had come ajar shortly after the Van's RV-10 departed the runway environment from Fullerton Municipal Airport (KFUL).

For high-performance aircraft like the Van's RV-10, an open door can be a major distraction and a significant aerodynamic hazard. The sudden change in airflow and the intense noise and buffeting can overwhelm the pilot, especially at low altitudes and during a critical phase of flight like takeoff and initial climb.

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The Pilot's Panicked Landing Attempt

Upon realizing the door was open, the NTSB's findings suggest Pascal Reid made a panicked and immediate attempt to return to the airport. This decision, driven by the critical in-flight emergency, resulted in a rapid descent and a loss of control. The aircraft ultimately crashed into a commercial furniture manufacturing building near the airport.

The report highlights that the pilot's attention was likely diverted from maintaining control of the aircraft and following proper emergency procedures, focusing instead on the open door and the immediate need to land. This sequence of events is a textbook example of how a seemingly minor mechanical failure can cascade into a catastrophic loss of control.

The Aftermath and Broader Implications for Amateur-Built Aircraft

The devastating crash not only claimed the lives of Pascal and Kelly Reid but also injured 19 people on the ground in the commercial building. The tragedy has sparked a renewed focus on safety and maintenance protocols, particularly for amateur-built aircraft, which are constructed by individuals and not subject to the same rigorous factory certification as commercial planes.

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The Van's RV-10 is an experimental aircraft, meaning the builder is responsible for ensuring its airworthiness. The NTSB investigation is now scrutinizing the specific door latching mechanism and whether any defects in the construction or maintenance contributed to the failure. This scrutiny is a crucial part of the final report, which will aim to provide recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The Huntington Beach Community's Enduring Grief

The loss of Kelly, a beloved student-athlete, sent shockwaves through the Huntington Beach High School community. Tributes poured in from the HBHS Girls Soccer and Flag Football teams, highlighting her spirit and positive impact on her teammates and coaches. The tragedy served as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the strong bonds within the Orange County coastal community.

The ongoing investigation by the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a slow and meticulous process. While the preliminary report has identified the faulty door as a primary factor, the final report—which provides the official probable cause—will take several more months to complete. The Reid family, and the entire Huntington Beach area, awaits this final determination for closure, but the memory of Pascal and Kelly remains a painful, yet cherished, part of the city's recent history.

Key Entities and Topical Authority:

• Aircraft Type: Van's RV-10 (N8757R)
• Regulatory Bodies: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Location: Fullerton Municipal Airport (KFUL), Raymer Avenue, Fullerton, Orange County, California
• Victims: Pascal Reid, Kelly Reid
• Community: Huntington Beach High School (HBHS), HBHS Varsity Soccer, HBHS Lacrosse, Compass Bible Church
• Technical Focus: Amateur-Built Aircraft, Preliminary Report, Faulty Door, Aerodynamic Hazard, Pilot Distraction, Emergency Landing Procedures