Two Pilots Die in Crash of Lockheed 12A (Updated)

The well-known Yanks Air Museum at Chino Airport (KCNO), California, hosted its Pops and Props event to celebrate Father’s Day on Saturday afternoon.

However, the day turned tragic when the Museum’s Chief of Operations, Frank Wright and his copilot were killed when the Lockheed 12A Electra Junior they were flying crashed shortly after takeoff. Prior to the flight, Mr. Wright had taken part in a panel discussion during the event. While it is not yet known what may have caused the accident, numerous witnesses were present, one of whom said he was filming video and taking photos at the time.

He reported that he saw the aircraft “listing to the left… very sharp, and started going down.” While relating that he saw almost the entire sequence during the takeoff except for a moment when his view was obscured by a tall shrub, he said the accident occurred right in front of him. “Took a nose dive and the first part of the plane that hit was the left wing, and that's where the fuel was I guess, and what happened was immediate explosion."

An NTSB investigative team arrived on Sunday to begin examining the accident aircraft and circumstances surrounding the crash. Yanks Air Museum will remain closed until further notice.

The Model 12 Electra Junior is a smaller 6-seat variant of the Lockheed Model 10 Electra, the aircraft flown by Amelia Earhart when it disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. This Model 12 was built in about 1938 as a personnel transport for the US Army Air Corp. It then passed through several owners prior to its acquisition by the Museum in 1998, and its restoration was completed in 2006. Yanks Air Museum was founded by Charles Nichols in 1973 and is noted for its extensive collection and restoration of historically significant aircraft from the earliest days of aviation.

FMI: www.yanksair.org