Pilot Fatally Injured When The Plane Impacted Terrain And Caught Fire

A plane identified by the FAA as a home-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang went down Saturday in Los Angeles County, CA, resulting in the fatal injury of the pilot of the aircraft.

According to an LA County Sheriff's Department news release, at approximately 10:12 a.m. local time Saturday, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station personnel responded to an “aircraft accident” call in the area of the 14 Freeway & Newhall Avenue, just east of the 14 Freeway in Newhall.

Along with the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel, deputies located the small aircraft engulfed in flames.

The fire was extinguished and the sole occupant of the aircraft was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The name of the pilot has not been officially released, but television station KTLA reports that he has been identified by friends as Wayne Richards. FAA records indicate that the plane was registered in his name.

Richards reportedly made an emergency call to air traffic controllers saying there was a problem with the aircraft and he intended to land. A witness who was cycling in the area said that the plane had flames coming out of the engine as the pilot attempted to land.

The accident closed a portion of The 14 freeway for 25 hours, according to the report.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: LACSD Sheriff Facebook
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