2 Dead After World War II-Era Plane Crashes During Father’s Day Event
The victims aboard the plane were Frank Wright, 67, and Michael Paul Gilles, 71, authorities confirmed to PEOPLE
Doug Benc via AP
A World War II-era plane crash sits in a field near the runway at Chino AirportA vintage World War II-era plane crashed after departing from an airport in California for a Father’s Day event, killing two people onboard.
In a statement to PEOPLE based on preliminary information, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the June 15 incident involved a twin-engine Lockheed 12A that crashed around 12:35 p.m., local time, after the craft left Chino Airport. They added that two people were on the plane.
The NTSB will be heading the investigation.
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In a Facebook post on June 16, the Chino-based Yanks Air Museum, which houses vintage aircraft, said the plane belonged to them.
“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,” the museum said in a statement. “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.”
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The incident occurred during the museum’s Yanks Pops and Props event, which was billed as a Father’s Day celebration.
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Authorities said the blaze was contained within 10 minutes, before the discovery of the two victims inside the plane, the Associated Press reported.
The coroner’s division of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department confirmed to PEOPLE on June 17 that the victims aboard the plane were Frank Wright, 67, and Michael Paul Gilles, 71.
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Chino Valley Fire District battalion chief Bryan Turner said the plane was found 200 yards away from the runway, via ABC News.
A witness told Fox affiliate KTTV that the plane was about 300 feet in the air when it began to incline to the left, saying: "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."
PEOPLE contacted the Yanks Air Museum for additional information.
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