Officials said the plane had just taken off from the Agua Dulce Airport when it slammed into the rough terrain near Sierra Highway and Steele Street. Officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department said it set off a 10-to 15-acre brush fire.
The pilot and passenger on board managed to crawl out of the burning wreckage and up to the top of the rugged ridge to call for help. The men were airlifted to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Rescuers said the pilot was uninjured and his passenger suffered minor injuries.
"They are extremely lucky," said L.A. County Fire Capt. Mark Savage. "The plane immediately caught fire, they said. They scrambled out of the aircraft and climbed to safety."
Fire crews had contained about 30 percent of the fire by late Sunday night. Officials said they expected full containment by Monday morning.
Authorities will interview the men in the plane to determine the cause of the crash.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the plane crash happened in Santa Clarita.
