Federal authorities are investigating the crash of two small planes that resulted in the death of one pilot. NBC News reported.
The tragic incident occurred around 12:50 p.m. Sunday afternoon, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Lancaster, California. Two planes apparently collided in mid-air and then crashed. One of the planes came to rest near 47th Street East and Avenue F, while the other came to rest near 60th Street East and Avenue G, according to LAPD Fire Department Capt. Sheila Kelliher.
The two aircraft were identified as a Yak-52 (former Soviet-era aircraft) and a CJ-6A (communist-era Chinese aircraft). One pilot escaped unharmed, while the other, later identified as 62-year-old Ryder Adams, died. It is unclear which pilot was flying which aircraft. NBC reported that both aircraft were used for aerobatic and recreational flying.
Federal authorities are investigating the crash to determine the exact cause of the crash. “The NTSB is investigating the mid-air collision of a Yakovlev Yak-52 and a Nanchang CJ-6A near Lancaster, California,” the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement. The Federal Aviation Commission is assisting in the investigation, which could take one to two years to complete. The departments will investigate both pilots and their respective aircraft, as well as the environment of the crash sites.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information relevant to the investigation can contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.