Small plane crashes at K.C. air show, pilot killed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A stunt pilot was killed in fiery crash during a Kansas City air show on Saturday after his plane appeared unable to pull out of a downward spiral and nosedived into an airfield, witnesses and authorities said.

Missouri Department of Aviation spokesman Joe McBride said the pilot couldn't pull out of a maneuver and crashed the biplane into the grass at a downtown airfield. No spectators were injured.

McBride said it was the first fatal crash at the annual Kansas City Aviation Expo Air Show. Event officials identified the pilot as Bryan Jensen, though no other information was released.

Witnesses said that the red Horzon Hobbit plane was performing loops, then couldn't pull up from a downward spiral. They said the crowd fell silent when the plane hit the ground and burst into flames.

"It was right in front of the crowd," said Kansas City Council member Jan Marcason, who was watching the aerial acrobatics when the plane crashed around 1:45 p.m.

Others said it appeared that the pilot was going to gain control of the plane and that the maneuver initially looked scripted.