(Scypre.com) – In a tragic incident on Sunday, two single-engine planes collided midair over northern Los Angeles County, resulting in the death of one pilot. The crash occurred around 1 p.m. near Lancaster, California. The aircraft involved were a Nanchang CJ-6 and a Yakovlev Yak-52, both used primarily for aerobatics and hobby flying.
One pilot is dead after a mid-air collision above #Lancaster. A Yakovlev Yak-52 and a Nanchang CJ-6A collided this afternoon around 1:20pm. The CJ-6A pilot was killed while the Yak-52 pilot landed on a road and was uninjured. @kcalnews pic.twitter.com/llPGjiSfLn
— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) September 23, 2024
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision happened as the planes flew in close proximity. The Nanchang CJ-6 is a Chinese military trainer aircraft from the 1960s, while the Yakovlev Yak-52 is a Soviet-era plane from the 1930s. The Yak-52 involved in this crash is owned by Fight’s On! LLC, a San Marcos-based company, according to FAA records.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the crash site after receiving reports of downed planes. One pilot was pronounced dead on arrival at the scene, while the other pilot, remarkably, reported no injuries. The surviving plane landed near 60th Street East and Avenue G in Lancaster, while the second plane came down near 47th Street East and Avenue F.
The identities of the pilots have not yet been released. Local authorities, along with the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the collision.
This tragic accident has left many in shock, as both planes are renowned for their use in aerobatic flights and aviation enthusiasts’ gatherings. The investigation will delve into whether the pilots were performing maneuvers or had encountered any mechanical issues leading up to the crash.