Pilot, Flight Student Killed in Plane Crash
A flight instructor and his student were killed when their ultralight aircraft crashed in a field a few miles west of Perris Valley Airport, officials said Sunday.
The accident occurred at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
“Witnesses stated that they saw the plane do a somersault and then it spiraled to the ground and crashed,” said Deputy Christy Martello.
The two were pronounced dead at the scene, Martello said.
The pilot was identified as William Smith, 40, of Homeland. Smith operated ultralight Air Sports for about five years, said co-worker Jerry Cole.
The student killed in the crash was a 37-year-old woman from Alta Loma. Her name was not disclosed pending notification of her family. Cole said she had gone up with Smith for an introductory 10-minute lesson.
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