The victims aboard the plane were Frank Wright, 67, and Michael Paul Gilles, 71, authorities confirmed.
A vintage World War II-era plane crashed shortly after taking off from Chino Airport in California during a Father’s Day event, leading to the tragic deaths of the two people on board.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the twin-engine Lockheed 12A aircraft went down around 12:35 p.m. local time on June 15. Preliminary reports confirmed that the two people onboard were Frank Wright, 67, and Michael Paul Gilles, 71.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be leading the investigation into the incident.
The Yanks Air Museum, located in Chino and known for its collection of historic planes, owned the ill-fated aircraft. In a statement released on Facebook on June 16, the museum expressed their grief and confirmed the tragic event:
“Shortly after noon yesterday [June 15], one of our aircraft was involved in an accident in an unoccupied field near Chino Airport resulting in two fatalities aboard the aircraft. At this time we are working with local authorities and the FAA. Yanks Air Museum will be closed until further notice as our family deals with this tragedy, and we appreciate your patience and respect for our privacy as we navigate through this difficult time.”
The crash occurred during the museum’s Yanks Pops and Props event, a Father’s Day celebration dedicated to vintage planes and cars. Though the event was meant to be a joyful occasion, it quickly turned tragic.
According to the Associated Press, first responders were able to contain the blaze within 10 minutes and subsequently discovered the two victims inside the wreckage.
Chino Valley Fire District Battalion Chief Bryan Turner reported that the plane crashed approximately 200 yards from the end of the runway.
A witness described the horrifying moment to Fox affiliate KTTV. The plane had reached about 300 feet in the air when it suddenly veered left and nosedived, leading to an immediate and fiery explosion. “It took a nosedive, and the first part of the plane that hit was the left wing. And what happened was [an] immediate explosion. Like [a] big fireball, black smoke,” the witness recounted.
The Yanks Air Museum has been a cherished institution, famed for its impressive collection of vintage aircraft and its dedication to preserving aviation history. Their loss has been deeply felt both within the museum and the broader aviation community.
This tragic event has cast a somber shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory Father’s Day gathering. The focus now shifts to understanding what went wrong and ensuring such a heartbreaking occurrence does not happen again. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of Frank Wright and Michael Paul Gilles during this difficult time.
