2 dead after small World War II-era plane crashes near Chino Airport

CHINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Two pilots onboard a small World War II-era plane were killed Saturday when the aircraft crashed shortly after departing from Chino Airport, officials said.

A twin-engine Lockheed 12A crashed around 12:35 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

The identities of the deceased individuals weren't immediately revealed, but according to two friends who spoke with ABC7, one of the victims is Frank Wright, the Chief of Operations at the Yanks Air Museum. Wright had participated in a panel discussion at a Father's Day event at the museum before the crash, according to a witness.

Friends said Wright was a major part of the museum.

No additional people were onboard the plane, and no one on the ground was injured.

The witness who was at the Father's Day event said he was taking photos and filming video when the crash occurred.

"There was a shrub or a bush in front of me, a tall one, maybe about 10 or 12 feet high, and I had to move around it, and the moment I came around it, the plane disappeared behind it," he said. "But then when I got around it, the plane started listing to the left ... very sharp, and started going down."

The witness recalled the moment of impact, saying it "happened right in front of his eyes."

"Took a nose dive and the first part of the plane that hit was the left wing, and that's where the fuel was I guess, and what happened was immediate explosion."

It's unclear what caused the plane to crash. The FAA said that agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

An NTSB investigator is expected to be on scene Sunday to begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.