A pilot was killed Friday morning when a small plane crashed during takeoff at San Gabriel Valley Airport.
The male victim died at the scene, according to fire officials who responded to the crash on airport property in the 4200 block of Santa Anita Avenue in El Monte. The pilot was the only person aboard at the time of the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Authorities did not release the victim's name because his family had not been notified of his death.
Aviation records show the plane is a two-seat, single-engine 1979 Jansen Pazmany PL-2 experimental aircraft. The plane appeared to be about 200 feet above the ground when the engine noise stopped, according to a witness.
"It suddenly jerked to the left and nosedived right into the concrete," said witness Kevin Ward.
The plane appeared to be turning left before it slammed into the tarmac next to the runway. He made no call for help, the National Transportation Safety Board said.
