CHINO, Calif. — A Father’s Day event at the Yanks Air Museum in California took a tragic turn on Saturday when a World War II-era plane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The incident, which occurred at Chino Airport, has left authorities and the aviation community searching for answers as they investigate the cause of the crash.
The FAA confirmed that the twin-engine Lockheed 12A went down just moments after departing from the airport around midday. Despite the tragic event, no individuals on the ground were harmed during the crash.
Eyewitness accounts reveal the harrowing moments leading up to the incident. An attendee of the Father’s Day event recounted how the plane, flying at a relatively low altitude, suddenly veered to the left and then rapidly descended, striking the ground with an explosive impact that created a massive fireball and billows of black smoke.
In the wake of the crash, the Yanks Air Museum expressed its deep sorrow and its commitment to working closely with the FAA to determine the exact cause of the accident. The museum, which lost one of its own in the tragedy, announced its closure until further notice as it grapples with the profound loss.
Both the FAA and the NTSB have launched investigations into the crash, with an NTSB representative set to examine the wreckage at the crash site on Sunday. The recovered aircraft will then be transported to a secure facility for detailed examination.
As the investigation unfolds, the aviation community and the public await further information to shed light on the circumstances leading to the devastating crash.