Vintage Planes Collide in Tragic Accident, Killing One

Federal authorities are investigating a dual small-plane crash which left one pilot dead, NBC News reported.

The tragic incident occurred Sunday afternoon at around 12:50 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Lancaster, California. The two planes apparently collided in mid-air and subsequently crashed. One of the planes landed in the vicinity of 47th Street East and Avenue F, while the other came to a rest near 60th Street East and Avenue G, according to L.A.P.D. Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher.

The two planes were identified as a Yak-52—a vintage Soviet-era aircraft—and a CJ-6A, a Communist-era Chinese plane. One of the pilots survived with no injuries while the other, later identified as 62-year old Ryder Adams, was declared deceased. It’s unclear which pilot was flying which plane. NBC reported that both planes were used in aerobatics and for hobby flights.

Federal authorities are investigating the crash to determine the exact cause behind what happened. "NTSB is investigating the midair collision of a Yakovlev Yak-52 and Nanchang CJ-6A near Lancaster, California,'' the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement. The Federal Aviation Commission is assisting with the investigation, which could take anywhere between one and two years to complete. The departments will investigate both pilots in addition to their respective aircraft and the environment of the crash sites.

Those who witnessed the crash or may have any information pertinent to the investigation can contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.