Pilot Killed In Small Plane Crash At Compton Airport

COMPTON (CNS) - A pilot was killed when an airplane crashed while picking up a banner at Compton Airport Sunday, authorities said.

Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the airport, 901 W. Alondra Ave., at 12:30 p.m., a Downey Fire Department dispatcher said.

The pilot was the single-engine Aviat A1's sole occupant, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.

One person on the ground suffered burns while trying to rescue the pilot, according to reports from the scene.

The plane's registered owner is Wyoming Services LLC out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, according to the FAA's online aircraft registry.

A National Transportation Safety Board and one or more FAA inspectors were expected to arrive at the crash site this afternoon, Gregor said.

Witnesses told reporters at the scene the pilot made several failed attempts to hook the banner.

The aircraft nose-dived to the ground after finally successfully hooking the banner, they said.

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