Pilot Dies as Plane Crashes Into Field

The pilot of a single-engine plane was killed Saturday when his aircraft apparently ran out of gas and crashed into a field near Agua Dulce Airport about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles, authorities said.

The 49-year-old victim, who was not identified, radioed a distress call about 10:45 a.m., said Sheriff’s Deputy Bob Flores. “Part of the Mayday message was that he was running out of gas,” Flores said. “I would assume he was attempting a landing at Agua Dulce Airport.”

Flores said witnesses told authorities they heard no engine noise before the Grumman Yankee aircraft crashed near the 10300 block of Sierra Highway, about a half-mile north of the airport.

“Witnesses on the ground indicated that after issuing the Mayday. . . that he turned right and lost control of the aircraft and spun into the ground,” said Flores, who was at the accident scene.

Visibility was good at the time of the crash, he said. The pilot, who died on impact, was alone in the plane. No one on the ground was injured, authorities said.

The plane’s destination and flight origin were not known.