A small airplane crashed in a remote area along Ortega Highway on Dec.23 after the aircraft experienced difficulties while flying over the Ortega Mountains, authorities said.
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the crash site west of the Candy Store along State Route 74, according to officials and emergency scanner reports.
Preliminary information indicates the aircraft was a Cirrus single-engine airplane equipped with a built-in emergency parachute system. The solo pilot had departed from John Wayne Airport and was en route to Riverside when the aircraft encountered trouble while flying close to mountainous terrain.
Emergency communications indicate the pilot was advised to pull up due to proximity to the terrain. During the maneuver, the aircraft stalled and descended nose-first
