Bushby Mustang II, Unregistered: Fatal accident occurred January 25, 2020 near Big 'T' Airport (64GA), Senoia, Coweta County, Georgia

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia 
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 


Location: Senoia, GA
Accident Number: ERA20FA086
Date & Time: 01/25/2020, 1715 EST
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: MUSTANG II
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On January 25, 2020, about 1715 eastern standard time, an unregistered experimental, amateur-built Mustang II, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Big 'T' Airport (64GA), Senoia, Georgia. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed 64GA about 1655.

According to witnesses and video recorded from a witness, the airplane had been flying over the local area for about 15 minutes when it then performed a barrel roll. Shortly after the barrel roll, the canopy opened and struck the vertical stabilizer and right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane subsequently descended nose-down and impacted terrain about .5 mile south of 64GA.

The owner of the airplane stated that he purchased it from a Canadian citizen about 1 week prior to the accident. The owner further stated that the accident pilot was a good friend and fellow airline pilot. The accident pilot accompanied the owner to receive the airplane. The owner only had about 15 minutes of experience in the airplane and the accident pilot had about 55 hours of experience in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The owner further stated that the canopy latch was not intuitive, and the accident pilot had to show him how to operate it. A knob had to be rotated approximately 180° clockwise to secure the latch, and then rotated 180° counterclockwise to release the latch. The accident pilot was allowed to use the airplane when he wanted, and the accident flight was a local pleasure flight.

The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration first class medical certificate was issued on October 24, 2019. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 11,000 hours.

The two-seat, low-wing, fixed tailwheel airplane was assembled from a kit in 1980. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360, 180 horsepower engine, equipped with a two-blade, constant-speed Hartzell propeller. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed in Canada on May 29, 2019. At that time, the airframe had accrued a total time of 1,379.5 hours and the engine had 0 hours since major overhaul.

The wreckage came to rest nose down in a wooded area. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident scene, with the exception of the canopy, vertical stabilizer, and outboard section of the right horizontal stabilizer, which were located about .25 mile north of the main wreckage. The propeller separated from the engine, but both blades remained in the hub. One propeller blade exhibited tip curling, chordwise scratching, and leading edge gouging. The other propeller blade exhibited s-bending near the tip.

The canopy latch was retained for further examination. Additionally, the witness video was forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MUSTANG
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FFC, 807 ft msl
Observation Time: 1653 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C / 1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 12 knots / , 310°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Senoia, GA (64GA)
Destination: Senoia, GA (64GA) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 33.290000, -84.540833

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. 

Nathan Rivers Sorenson

10/29/06 - 1/25/20

Our beloved Nathan Rivers "departed the fixed outbound" to Heaven on January 25th, hand in hand with his Twin Tigers team member, "Little" Mark Nowosielski (43), in a heartbreaking aviation accident. Nathan loved Fortnite, Minecraft, Lindsey Stirling music, his 4-wheeler & his hoverboard, and fall because he could share his awesome Nerf birthday parties with as many friends as possible. He loved Lego minifig hunting with surrogate aunts and siblings. He loved to fly with his dad, and especially loved spending time with his vast extended family & friends. He had a deep connection to all animals, domesticated or wild. His instant connection was infectious. He planned to be a famous youtuber sharing games and aviation together. Nathan grew up developing the Twin Tiger Aerobatic Team with his dad. In his 13 years of travel he touched over 30 states & millions of people. He loved sharing his passion for aviation. While he loved traveling and being with people, there was no place like home. Nathan is survived by his parents Mark & Brooke Sorenson (b. Warble, '96 Hershey High School graduate), his older brother Brandon (Amire) and 2 nephews, various grandparents in PA, MN, GA and FL, many Warble and Sorenson family members, and more friends than there are stars in the sky. A joint celebration of life ceremony is being held on 2/15/2020 at Peach State Airport (GA2) in Williamson, GA 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate in honor of both Mark and Nathan to your local cat shelter. Fly high, our little boy. Mommy & Daddy love you so much. Waiting for our eternal hug. You are more alive than ever.

SENOIA, Georgia (CBS46) -- Two people have died in a small plane crash in Senoia, Georgia Saturday evening.

The FAA said the aircraft was a Bushby Mustang II and that it went down about a half-mile from Big T Airport in Senoia.

Coweta County confirmed the plane went down near Highway 16 East and Kessle Hurst Road in Senoia.

The county coroner confirms Mark Nowosielski, 43, and Nathan Sorenson, 13, were both killed. 

According to the website AirShowNews, Mark Nowosielski was one half of the award-winning Twin Tigers Aerobatic Team, and a long-time member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team. His full time job was as a Boeing 737 pilot for Southwest Airlines.

Nathan Sorenson is the son of Mark Sorenson, owner and lead pilot of the Twin Tigers Aerobatic Team. 

Story and video ➤ https://www.cbs46.com

COWETA COUNTY, Georgia — Authorities have released the names of a man and teen killed in a Coweta County plane crash on Saturday afternoon.

The coroner confirmed to 11Alive that the Bushby Mustang II aircraft that crashed not far from Big T Airport was piloted by Mark Nowosielski of Ocala, Florida. His passenger was 13-year-old Nathan Sorenson from Senoia, Georgia.

Authorities said the two weren't related but were friends. Federal Aviation Administration records also show that the only person listed under the pilot's name had been issued certificates for airline transport and flight instruction as recently as July 2019.

All lanes were blocked on Georgia Route 16 at Tinsley Way after the crash and the roadway remained shut down for hours. The FAA confirmed the aircraft was a Mustang 2 and that it crashed into a wooded area on the road's edge.

Not far away, workers at the "Wings on Wheels" food truck thought they heard the aircraft moments before it went down. Desirae Walker said they're used to feeling their trailer shake because of aircraft - but this was different.

"I heard something rattle and planes aren't supposed to rattle," she said.

A short time later, she said she heard several emergency vehicles coming from many different directions.

The National Transportation Safety Board has since joined the investigation and will search for the cause of the crash. 

Story and video ➤ https://www.11alive.com

Loss of Engine Power (Total): TM-1 Thunder Mustang, N151WR; fatal accident occurred January 04, 2020 in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Van Nuys, California

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N151WR

Location: Santa Clarita, California

Accident Number: WPR20FA057

Date and Time: January 4, 2020, 10:09 Local 

Registration: N151WR

Aircraft: Thunder Mustang TM-1 

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed

Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)

Injuries: 1 Fatal

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 4, 2020, about 1009, Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang airplane, N151WR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Santa Clarita, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane was cleared for takeoff and instructed to maintain at or below 2,500 ft mean sea level (msl) until north of the airport. On departure, the airplane was approved a frequency change. However, the airplane turned back towards the airport and the pilot re-established communication with the tower controller. The pilot reported that he “had smoke out of the right stack,” and then advised the controller that he was “going to have to put her down.” The controller asked for his position and the pilot responded, “over Newhall.” The pilot further reported that he could not see anything and that he lost power to his engine. The controller acknowledged and then the pilot stated that “I am going to have to put it down on,” when the transmission was cut off.

A witness observed the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude with smoke trailing from the airplane just before impact. He stated the airplane appeared to be under control. The airplane struck a tall tree and subsequently came to rest in a grassy field located in the median of an interstate’s off-ramp cloverleaf roadway. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 73, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Front

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: Unknown

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed: Yes

Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations 

Last FAA Medical Exam: January 18, 2019

Occupational Pilot:

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time: (Estimated) 4500 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Thunder Mustang

Registration: N151WR

Model/Series: TM-1

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2001

Amateur Built: Yes

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) 

Serial Number: 24

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tailwheel 

Seats:

Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown 

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 

Engine Manufacturer: Falconer

ELT: Engine Model/Series: V12 liquid cooled engine

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power:

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The low-wing airplane was powered by a Falconer V12 liquid cooled engine. The engine was equipped with a four-bladed, variable pitch propeller.

The airframe and engine logbooks were not located during the investigation. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KVNY, 770 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 09:51 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 176°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility: 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / 4°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Van Nuys, CA (VNY)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Van Nuys, CA (VNY)

Type of Clearance: Unknown

Departure Time: 09:56 Local

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: On-ground

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 

Latitude, Longitude: 34.365833,-118.502502(est)

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted level terrain in a median on a freeway exit ramp. The terrain consisted of grass and dirt. On the east side of the median several tall trees were present. Near the top of about a 60 ft tall tree, several branches were observed broken with fresh breaks. A section of the airplane was embedded in the tree. Additionally, parts of the propeller blades were located at the bottom of the tree. The right-wing tip and parts of the wing were also located near the initial impact with the tree.

The airplane wreckage came to rest upright on about a 140º magnetic heading about 75 ft past the initial impact. All major components of the airplane were contained within the main wreckage site. Most of the wreckage debris, consisted of small fragments of the canopy and of the landing gear that had sheared off. There was a postimpact fire that thermally damaged the majority of the airplane and engine. Flight control continuity could not be verified due to thermal and impact damage.

An examination of the airframe and engine was accomplished at a secure facility. All engine components and accessories were present and remained attached to the engine. The engine sustained thermal and impact damage. Damage was noted to the engine mount support tubes. The engine would not rotate. A borescope inspection of the cylinders revealed evidence that the 6 cylinders on the right

side of the engine had normal operating conditions, however, several cylinders on the left side of the engine, cylinders Nos.1, 3, and 5 were nearly black in color.

The intake manifold, valve cover, and intake plenum were removed from the engine. The exhaust valve push rod for the No. 5 cylinder was not secured and observed lying inside the engine. The left side head assembly was removed and revealed that the Nos. 1, 3, and 5 cylinder head attachment areas each had material deformation consistent with an internal combustion gas leak. The No. 1 cylinder had material deformation through a coolant passageway and the crankcase, and about a 1 cm wide by 3 ml deep hole was observed. Additionally, discoloration and material deformation near the hole was consistent with extreme hot combustion gasses. On the Nos. 3 and 5 cylinders, the hot combustion gasses had only penetrated into the coolant passageway and had not yet burnt through the crankcase.

All the sparkplugs were removed, and the spark plug electrodes were dark in color and exhibited normal wear signatures when compared to the Champion Check-A-Plug comparison chart, with the exception of those for cylinders Nos. 1, 3, and 5, (left side), which were very black in color, oily, and carbon fouled. The No. 1, cylinder spark plug electrode was significantly darker in color that the others. The No. 3 and No. 5 cylinder’s spark plug electrodes were dark in color but not as dark as the No. 1 cylinder.

The engine was disassembled. The cylinders’ piston tops and cylinder heads were absent of any carbon build up and exhibited a sandblasted appearance consistent with detonation. Further, the cylinders exhibited damage consistent with detonation at the cylinder head and piston face edges. Traces of oil were present, and no coolant was observed in the engine.

The fuel manifold was removed, and each fuel injector was examined. Except for the thermal damage no anomalies or obstructions to flow were noted.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no additional preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.

Additional Information

The FAA Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge defines detonation as “an uncontrolled, explosive ignition of the fuel-air mixture within the cylinder’s combustion chamber. It causes excessive temperatures, which if not corrected, can lead to failure of the piston, cylinder, or valves.”

The FAA Handbook also states:

Detonation is characterized by high cylinder head temperatures and is most likely to occur when operating at high power settings. Common operational causes of detonation are:

Use of a lower grade fuel than that specified by the aircraft manufacturer

Operation of the engine with extremely high manifold pressures in conjunction with low rpm

Operation of the engine at high power settings with an excessively lean mixture

Medical and Pathological Information

The Department of Medical Examiner Office, Los Angeles, California, conducted the autopsy on the pilot. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death for the pilot was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries.

The FAA's Forensic Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on the pilot. The pilot’s results for the testing were negative except for positive results for Glucose and Tamsulosin.

The pilot had Glucose in the vitreous and urine but had no reported history of diabetes mellitus.

Tamsulosin is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Tamsulosin is in a class of medications called alpha blockers. This medication is generally acceptable for use by airmen.

===========

Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Accident Number: WPR20FA057
Date & Time: 01/04/2020, 1009 PST
Registration: N151WR
Aircraft: THUNDER TM 1 THUNDER MUSTANG
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On January 4, 2020, about 1009, Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang airplane, N151WR, was destroyed when it collided with terrain about 2 miles southeast of Santa Clarita, California. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane departed Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California, about 0955.

Several witnesses observed the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude with smoke trailing from the airplane just before impact. Additionally, the pilot made a distress call to the VNY controller stating a cockpit visibility issue and a loss of engine power.

Examination of the wreckage by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge revealed that the airplane struck a tall tree and subsequently came to rest in a grassy field located in the median of an interstate off-ramp cloverleaf roadway. All major components of the airplane necessary for flight were located at the accident site. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: THUNDER
Registration: N151WR
Model/Series: TM 1 THUNDER MUSTANG No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVNY, 770 ft msl
Observation Time: 0951 PST
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / 4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Van Nuys, CA (VNY)
Destination: Van Nuys, CA (VNY)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 34.365833, -118.502500 (est)

Wayne Douglas Richards

SEPTEMBER 18, 1946 – JANUARY 4, 2020

~

Wayne “Solo” Richards passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2020 at the age of 73.

Wayne was born on September 18, 1946 in Los Angeles, CA to Warren & Marian Richards. He graduated from Trade Tech in 1966 with a degree in automotive repair and technology. He married Donna, in 1968. Wayne began his career as an automotive mechanic in 1966. In 1977, he became a business proprietor and opened his own automotive repair shop named, Solo Performance. In the early 1980’s he moved his business to its current location in North Hollywood. Wayne was an avid car and aviation enthusiast. He raced his own cars at Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, and Riverside Raceways. He flew his Pitts aerobatic biplane and every year enjoyed flying his Thunder Mustang to the Reno Air Races. He had a sense of adventure, which he shared with his family. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

Wayne is survived by his wife Donna; son and daughter-in-law Mark & Ana Marie; son and fiancée Brian & Cammie and 3 grandchildren Cayla, Kyle and Kurt. He is preceded in death by his parents Warren & Marian Richards and uncle and aunt Harvey and Anne Marie Finstead.

A memorial is scheduled for January 25, 2020 at 11:00am at North Hollywood First United Methodist Church located at 4832 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601. A reception will follow. Pastor Steve Peralta will officiate the memorial. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Wayne’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue (sclrr.org) or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org)

https://www.dignitymemorial.com

Federal Aviation Administration

The pilot who died in a plane crash in Newhall on Saturday has been identified by officials at the Los Angeles County Coroner-Medical Examiner’s Office.

Wayne Richards, 73, of North Hollywood, was identified as the pilot of the plane that lost control near the 14 Freeway on-ramp at Newhall Avenue.

His manner of death was deemed an “accident” and the cause as multiple blunt force injuries, according to the report filed by the Coroner’s Office. 

Richards was flying a “homebuilt” TM-1 Thunder Mustang out of Van Nuys Airport that had some form of an engine failure mid-flight resulting in the crash landing.

The Thunder Mustang is a modern 3/4-scale replica of the P-51 Mustang, a single-seat fighter plane used during World War II and the Korean War.

Santa Clarita resident Shane Weeks of Castaic had said on Monday that he had known Richards through work, and described him as “soft-spoken” and well-respected.

“I did stuff for the cars in his hot rod shop Solo Performance,” Weeks said. “He was well-respected and liked in the hot rod industry. He was a soft-spoken guy that was always happy to see you.  I am real bummed I never took his offer to show his plane and hanger to my 12-year-old son.”

Richard Reyman, a Castaic resident and an also close friend of Richards, said over a phone call Monday that his friend and he would text every morning, wishing each other “good morning,” even if the other was away in another country or on vacation.

“He was a very energetic guy …  he was always immersed in stuff and when he wasn’t working on customer cars, he was working on his own stuff,” said Reyman. “We would always have fun, he was very lighthearted …  a very gregarious guy.”  

Reyman said that the plane Richards was flying was a kit plane that he had purchased from Florida and flown back close to a decade ago. The plane engine, according to Reyman, had been changed out due to mechanical issues, but mechanical issues had resulted in the original engine being inside the aircraft when it went down. 

“I don’t think you could say ‘pilot error,’” said Reyman, adding that Richards had decades of flying experience before his fateful crash on Saturday. “I think it was his experience that got him to keep it off the freeway. His original intent was to put it down on the freeway but I think there was way too much traffic in the last minute.”  

Witnesses on the scene first noted the plane in the sky do the smoke coming from the aircraft’s engine.

“All I know is it circled around and I heard a clicking noise above me,” Mike York, a witness of the crash, said in a previous Signal interview. “I saw that the motor wasn’t running and smoke was coming out of it.”

California Highway Patrol officers from the Newhall office said they had received a call at 10:11 a.m. that the plane was in trouble.

“Initial reports state a single-engine aircraft was smoking and falling from the sky,” said Josh Greengard of the California Highway Patrol Newhall-area Office.

“All I know is it circled around and I heard a clicking noise above me,” Mike York, a witness of the crash, said in a previous Signal interview. “I saw that the motor wasn’t running and smoke was coming out of it.”

After crash landing near the Newhall Avenue off-ramp of Highway 14 around 10:15 a.m., the single-engine plane caught fire.

Richards, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

“The pilot was the only person on board,” said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Association. “We do not have any reports of injuries to anyone on the ground or damage to any structure on the ground.”

The National Transportation Safety Board will also be conducting an investigation of the incident, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Lt. Ethan Marquez said in a statement to press.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate, according to Gregor. “The NTSB is the lead agency and it typically takes the NTSB a year or more to determine a probable cause of an accident,” he said.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://signalscv.com

The pilot of a TM-1 Thunder Mustang aircraft who died after crashing near the 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita on Saturday morning is being remembered as a beloved member of the local aviation community.

Officials have not released his name, but friends identified the pilot as Wayne Richards. The aircraft, a home-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang, was registered under his name.

"Very sweet, very loving and very active in the community," Jennifer Pearl said of her fellow pilot. "It’s a big loss."

He was the only occupant of the plane that plummeted near the Newhall Avenue off-ramp just after 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a probe into what caused the aircraft to crash, but the answer likely won't be determined for months.

In an emergency call with an air traffic controller, the pilot indicated that he had low visibility and that he intended to land. Conditions in the area were clear at the time.

No injuries or damages on the ground was reported in the crash, which was witnessed by many people.

"He had flames coming out of his engine ... It looked like he was trying to land it. Once he impacted, I heard a loud bang and then a fireball, and that was it," said Brett Fox, who was cycling in the area when the incident happened.

Courtney Gonzales said she was hiking when she saw the aircraft drop and hit a tree before crashing.

“The next thing we saw was a big, black cloud of smoke," she told KTLA.

Story and video ➤ https://ktla.com

The pilot was killed when a small, homebuilt plane with engine trouble crashed near a 14 Freeway off-ramp in Santa Clarita Saturday morning, authorities said.

The plane nose-dived near the Newhall Avenue off-ramp off the northbound 14 Freeway just before 10:15 a.m., eyewitnesses said, and burst into flames.

One person was killed, Los Angeles County Fire officials said. It was believed the pilot was the only person on board, said Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration.

There were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground and there was no damage to structures, Gregor said.

The plane took off from the Van Nuys Airport, but the destination was unknown, Gregor said. The plane crashed about five miles north of the airport.

“He’s a hero, because he could have hit the freeway,” a man who was on his way to Lancaster when he saw the crash told a videographer at the scene.

The man, whose name was not available, said he looked up and saw the plane with smoke coming out the back before it nose-dived.

Air traffic control radio traffic from the Van Nuys Airport tower indicated the pilot was headed in the direction of the airport from the Newhall pass when he ran into trouble and told the tower he’d need to land quickly.

“Are you inbound, sir? Or do you need to land in the Newhall Pass?” the tower radioed to the pilot.

“I can’t see a thing, lost an engine,” the pilot is heard saying about 10:09 a.m. “I’m going to have to put it down.”

Just after 10:10 a.m., another pilot found the plane.

“It doesn’t look good at all,” he told the tower. “It’s off the 14 at Newhall Avenue in the exit area. There’s just flaming debris right now.”

The right lane of the northbound 14 Freeway and the Newhall Avenue on- and off-ramps were closed. Authorities said access to and from the northbound 14 Freeway from Newhall Avenue would be closed until at least 10 a.m. Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, Gregor said.

Story and video ➤ https://www.dailynews.com

A pilot was killed in a fiery plane crash Saturday morning near the Newhall Avenue off ramp of Highway 14. 

“We have a report of a plane down with fire, and that is all we have right now,” said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Melanie Flores at 10:19 a.m.

One fatality was confirmed as a result from the crash, according to Fire Dispatch Supervisor Mark Marrujo. 

The sole occupant of the aircraft was pronounced deceased at the scene, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department news release says. 

Christina Pascucci, from KTLA/ATC, recovered emergency radio transmission from the pilot, right before the crash.   

“I’m going to have to put the plane down,” said the pilot, “…can’t see a thing.” 

Fire officials received the call at 10:12 a.m.. 

“All I know is it circled around and I heard a clicking noise above me,” said York. “I saw that the propeller wasn’t moving, engine wasn't running and smoke was coming out of it.”

A lot of smoke was visible from the 14, according to witnesses on the scene. 

“Our first call we got was at 10:11 a.m.,” said Josh Greengard of the California Highway Patrol Newhall-area Office. “Initial reports state a single-engine plane was smoking and falling from the sky.”

“The guy was really straight as it was coming in and I’m saying, ‘He’s going to crash,’ and he hit a tree,” said York. “It looked like he was trying to land. I saw a panicked guy in the plane, and that is all I noticed.” 

“He was in a smoking nose dive and I thought he got out, but he hit so hard he never got out,” said George Paramore, an additional witness of the crash.

A minute after a sheriff’s helicopter landed on the 14 freeway northbound on ramp, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials laid a single sheet over what appeared to be the body of someone who had been onboard the plane. 

“This remains an ongoing investigation with multiple agencies, including Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Aero Bureau and the FAA,” according to an SCV Sheriff’s Station news release. “The Newhall Avenue off ramp from the 14 freeway will remain closed as the investigation continues.” 

The National Transportation Safety Board will also be conducting an investigation of the incident, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Lt. Ethan Marquez said in a statement to press.

The projected re-opening of the Newhall Avenue on/off ramp of the northbound side of the 14 freeway will be Sunday around 10-11 a.m., according to Greengard. 

Story and video ➤ https://signalscv.com

A pilot was killed after a small plane crashed and erupted in flames near the northbound 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita Saturday morning, authorities said.

Firefighters responded to the downed plane near the Newhall Avenue off-ramp following reports of an "aircraft emergency" at about 10:10 a.m. and found the aircraft completely engulfed in flames, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Photos and video posted online show flames and a thick cloud of black smoke billowing over a grassy area near the roadway.

Courtney Gonzales, who was hiking in the area at the time, said she saw the plane nose-dive down, clip a tree and crash near the freeway.

“The next thing we saw was a big black cloud of smoke," she told KTLA.

The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. No other deaths or injuries were reported.

The plane was a home-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Fire officials said the flames did not spread to surrounding brush.

California Highway Patrol closed northbound lanes of the freeway as well as the Newhall Avenue ramps until 10 a.m. Sunday.

It's unclear what led to the crash. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are all investigating the incident.

Story and video ➤ https://ktla.com

A small aircraft crashed and caught fire on Saturday morning near a freeway in Santa Clarita, California, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"Aircraft engulfed in flames," the sheriff's department tweeted Saturday.

The California Highway Patrol tweeted that the 14 freeway would be blocked for an "unknown duration due to police and Federal Aviation Administration activity."

Authorities said the "sole occupant of downed aircraft in #Newhall is deceased on scene" and asked the public to avoid the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was a "home-built TM-1 Thunder Mustang" and that it burned after crashing. They believe that only person on board was the pilot.

The Federal Aviation Administration will assist the National Transportation Safety Board in investigating the cause of the crash.

"It typically takes the NTSB a year or more to determine a probable cause of an accident," the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.nbcnews.com