Pilot Killed in Crash at New Mexico Air Show

A pilot was killed after a small plane crashed during an air show in New Mexico on Sunday afternoon.
The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. local time on Sunday at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo when a two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane crashed approximately half a mile west of the Las Cruces International Airport, where the air show was being held.
The pilot, who was performing aerobatics when the plane crashed, did not survive the crash. While the identity of the pilot has not yet been officially released, authorities have confirmed the individual was the sole occupant of the aircraft as first responders and airport rescue teams responded to the downed aircraft.
In response to the incident, the remainder of the air show was canceled, and the cause of the crash is being investigated by local and federal authorities.
According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, Andy Hume, director of the Las Cruces International Airport, shared that the incident was under investigation by the New Mexico State Police, adding that the family of the pilot had been notified of the incident.
In addition, Hume issued a brief statement on the City of Las Cruces Facebook page confirming there was a “single aircraft incident” during the air show, but he said they would not be releasing any further information or taking any questions because the investigation into the incident was just beginning.
While the New Mexico State Police are leading the investigation, they will have assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), whose investigators are set to arrive on Monday to document the scene and examine the wreckage.
“NTSB is investigating the crash of an Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH EA 300/L airplane at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time on Oct. 20 near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The preliminary information we have is that the plane impacted terrain one-half mile west of the Las Cruces International Airport while performing aerobatics at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo,” NTSB said.
In addition, the aircraft will also be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further investigation, NTSB said in its statement, adding that a preliminary report should be available within 30 days.
According to the website for the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, the two-day family event showcases “Sport Class Air Racing, airplanes and helicopters large and small, spacecraft and aerospace exhibits, and STEM Activities.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.