Pilot killed in a plane crash near Van Nuys Airport
The pilot of a light sport plane was killed Tuesday afternoon when the aircraft crashed against a building east of Van Nuys Airport, authorities said.
Firefighters worked to rescue the pilot trapped inside the single-engine plane at 1:29 p.m., according to Margaret Stewart, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles city Fire Department. The plane was resting up against the building.
There were no reports of significant structural damage to the building.
Authorities think the pilot was flying an Arion Lightning kit aircraft, said Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings at Van Nuys Airport, he said. The touch-and-go procedure requires a pilot to land on a runway and then immediately take off, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn.
On his last touch-and-go run, the pilot made a hard landing, said Diana Sanchez, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles World Airports.
Airport officials have temporarily closed its 4,000-foot training runaway.
Live TV footage showed a damaged power pole and the wreckage of the plane along the side of a building in the 16000 block of West Hart Street.
The building appears to house Los Angeles Modern Auctions.
Firefighters warned that wires were down and that drivers should stay clear of the area.
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UPDATES:
3:20 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from a Los Angeles World Airports spokeswoman.
2:55 p.m.: This article was updated with fire officials confirming the pilot was killed.
2:25 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman.
This article was originally published at 1:50 p.m.
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