Mon Sep 23 15:05:26 UTC 2024: ## Two Vintage Planes Collide in California, One Pilot Fatally Injured
**Los Angeles, CA** – A tragic mid-air collision involving two vintage military aircraft claimed the life of one pilot on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. near Los Angeles, California.
The aircraft involved were a Yakovlev Yak 52, a Soviet-era plane from the 1930s, and a Nanchang CJ-6A, a Chinese military training aircraft. Both planes were being flown by single pilots and had no passengers.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud “poof” and seeing smoke in the sky before the Yak-52 crashed. The Nanchang CJ-6A, however, managed to land safely, though the pilot reportedly appeared distressed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the collision. The Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed that one pilot perished in the incident, while the other pilot survived.
Tammy Peterson, a witness who saw the crash with her granddaughter, described the scene as “insane”. She said the aircraft landed close to their parked car, sending up a cloud of smoke and debris. “I hope the guy’s still alive,” Peterson said, expressing her immediate concern for the pilot’s safety.
The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with aviation, even when involving vintage aircraft typically flown for recreational purposes.
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