Pilot killed in plane crash at Porterville airport
The pilot was trying to return to the airport when the accident occurred, according to the FAA.
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- The pilot of a plane was killed after it crashed at the Porterville Municipal Airport on Monday afternoon.
The pilot was the only person on board.
The Federal Aviation Administration says the single-engine Vans RV-6A crashed around 2:20 pm shortly after taking off.
The plane caught fire on the ground near the end of the runway.
Porterville city fire crews responded and put out the flames.
Pictures from the scene show flames coming from the torched wreckage of the plane.
Authorities say it was a private plane.
The pilot was trying to return to the airport when the accident occurred, according to the FAA.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate what led to the crash.
The airport will be shut down for at least 12 hours.
