A pilot died on Sunday, when his plane lost control and crashed in a remote area during an air show at the Travis Air Base, in Solano County, without their being any other victims, local media reported.
The twin-engine plane which crashed was a part of an antique airplanes air show celebrated annually in northern California, enjoyed by thousands of people.
According to information published by news agency Reuters, the incident happened shortly after 2 p.m., local time, when the PT-17 twin-engine plane flown by 77-year-old civilian Eddie Andreini, crashed in an open field away from spectators.
Airman Bryan Swink, spokesman for the Air Base, told the media that Andreini was carrying out an acrobatic stunt when his plane plummetted to the ground, causing a large ball of smoke to rise, which could be seen from various kilometers away.
According to a report by Los Angeles Times on its website, the antique plane's pilot lost his life at the location of the accident; however, no spectators were hurt during the crash.
On their part, the National Transportation Safety Board reported on Sunday afternoon that it would begin an investigation to determine the causes of the accident, and requested members of the public who took pictures or video footage to provide their files to investigators.
CNN reported that the pilot who lost his life had been flying planes since he was 16, and had participated in air shows for the last 25 years.
"Nobody wants to see an event like this happen, and of course... our hearts and our condolences to the Andreini family and his team, with whom he had worked for many years," said Colonel David Mott, according to the quoted source.
The rest of the activities programmed for Sunday for the "Thunder Over Solano" air exhibit were cancelled after the accident, authorities said.
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