Two people who were aboard a World War II historical plane were killed Saturday when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Chino Airport in Southern California, firefighters said.
The private Lockheed L12 aircraft was off the runway approximately 200 yards away in a grass field, when firefighters arrived around 12:35 p.m., Bryan Turner, the battalion chief with Chino Valley Fire District, told ABC News.
The identities of the deceased passengers weren’t immediately revealed.
Turner said it’s too early to tell why the plane crashed, but there was fire involved.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash, both agencies said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Officials have confirmed that two individuals have tragically lost their lives following a crash of a World War II-era plane near a California airport. The vintage aircraft, a North American T-6 Texan, went down shortly after takeoff from the Riverside Municipal Airport on Saturday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 4:40 p.m. local time, just minutes after the plane had taken off. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft experiencing engine trouble before it plummeted to the ground in a nearby field. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, both occupants of the plane were pronounced dead at the scene.
The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of their families. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the accident.
The T-6 Texan was a popular training aircraft used by the United States military during World War II and in the years following the war. It is known for its distinctive design and was widely used for pilot training and aerobatic demonstrations.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with vintage aircraft and the importance of proper maintenance and safety protocols. The NTSB and FAA will be working diligently to uncover the circumstances that led to this crash and to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
