Vintage plane crash Hwy 101 N LA
 

https://ktla.com/2018/10/23/small-pl...-agoura-hills/

pilot ok- hair singed

plane has old german markings

Pics and predictably chaotic reporting on various "news" sites. Round engined two bladed monoplane in WW2 Luftwaffe colours crashed hard and burned, rather hilariously described as a Bf109 on one site (It most certainly isn't). Superficially looks like a Fw190 but 2 blades says it isn't.

I don't recognise the type - it could even be a Harvard in drag

A couple of news items that are available to UK viewers.
https://abc7.com/video-shows-moment-...eeway/4544025/
https://abc7.com/small-plane-crashes...hills/4543306/

May help to identify the type.

It's a T-6 or a variant thereof.

From a social media post:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....84ca4ff99c.png

He declared a mayday over Calabasas on Van Nuys tower freq using the callsign 'North American Six Nine Charlie' and said he was going to put it down on the freeway.

There are several other reported aircraft identifications in media reports including an Fw 190 and a Forney F-1.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....f5e8ff0c3a.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ced66b4b05.jpg

The first image seems to have burn marks on the upper left side of the engine cowl, the third image doesn't have much prop damage, engine fire?

I believe the plane is (or was) N7969C, an SNJ-5.

From Airport-data.com :

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e9d2accddc.jpg

Aircraft N7969C (North American SNJ-5 Texan C/N 43974) Photo by Terry Fletcher (Photo ID: AC903360)

I saw these "Luftwaffe T-6s" at Van Nuys a few years back, when flying with piperboy84:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....f3b296764d.jpg

https://www.pprune.org/aviation-hist...ml#post9143355

Dorf,

In answer to your question, I would quote the apocryphal answer by a Spitfire pilot, when asked a similar question: "When you buy your own Spitfire, you can paint it any colour you like!"

As far as I know the Bundeswehr used the T6 as trainer. They had more then 100 of them.

"The Condor Squadron Officer’s and Airmen’s Association is a unique non-profit organization founded in 1965 by a group of WWII fighter pilots, preserving a piece of aviation history that played an important part in securing the freedoms we cherish as a nation.

We proudly fly WWII, North American AT-6 airplanes in formation over parades, memorial services and events commemorating veterans."

https://www.condorsquadron.org/

The Luftwaffe actually did operate the T6/Harvard both during WW2 (captured French ones) & again post-war in the "new Luftwaffe" (US supplied ones) in the 50's

Our TV news called it "Plummeting to the ground."

Jeez.

You gotta guess that no one in a car was brave enough to fight the initial fire with extinguishers in case the bombs exploded? :rolleyes:

OAP

I do remember that line up at Van Nuys while based there in 2010. Occasional late afternoon sortie to clear their throats dragged us away from working on our beast.

Rob

Dorf,

In answer to your question, I would quote the apocryphal answer by a Spitfire pilot, when asked a similar question: "When you buy your own Spitfire, you can paint it any colour you like!"[/QUOTE]

Attributed to the late Charles Church, whose Spitfire at the time was a distinctly odd variation of grey and green shades.

Ttfn

Perhaps the pilot had spotted a Triumph Spitfire on the highway?

Wow
 

Incredible to be able to walk away from that unscathed