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Air safety

January 9, 2000
Web posted at: 4:52 a.m. EST (0952 GMT)

UPLAND, California (CNN) -- Federal authorities are investigating the cause of a crash at a California air show that killed the pilot of a small stunt plane as thousands of spectators watched.

The plane, a Pitts S-1 aerobatic biplane, crashed and exploded during the Pomona Valley Air Fair on Saturday in Upland, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. It was performing a spiral maneuver with three other planes when it failed to pull out of the spin, said Upland Police Lt. Edward Gray.

"The plane lost control, hit the ground and exploded about 1/2 mile north of the airport," said Gray. No one on the ground was injured when the plane went down at 10:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. EST), he said.

More than 3,000 spectators had showed up to view skydivers, aerobatic performers, helicopters and World War II-era planes celebrate the show's 25th anniversary, Gray said.

"This is the first accident to occur during the air show," he said.

The pilot was identified as Mark Madden of La Mesa, California. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

The event was sponsored by the Pomona Valley Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

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