Pilot Dies After Single-Engine Jet Crashes, Explodes Into Fireball At Nevada Aviation Championship

A single-engine aircraft taking part in the Reno National Championship Air Races in Nevada crashed Sunday afternoon, killing its pilot.

The Aero L-29 Delfín crashed at around 3.45 p.m. ET during the Jet Gold Race, the Reno Air Racing Association said in a tweet.

"During the jet gold race on the third lap there was a fatal incident at outer pylon 5 today," the association said in the tweet. "All other pilots landed safely and race operations for 2022 have been suspended. We express our deepest sympathies to the pilot's family and friends as well as racers and race fans who make up our September family."

A now-deleted video captured from the site of the event showed the plane erupting into flames as soon as it hit the ground. The racing association was live streaming the event on its YouTube channel, NBC-affiliated KCRA-TV reported.

The video reportedly showed a large fireball streak along the way as the plane came crashing.

Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, confirmed there was only one casualty, adding that the crash occurred near a pylon used to mark the flight track.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office said in a tweet that officials reached the crash scene, which was located in the area of 13945 Red Rock Road, about two miles from the race venue, after 4.00 p.m., and issued a warning for residents to avoid the area.

Telling told NBC News that the plane, which was originally developed for military training, was on the third and final lap. The identity of the pilot wasn't revealed by the authorities. All other races were suspended due to the crash. The event started Wednesday and was scheduled to go through Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration will collaborate with National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the crash.

The annual Reno Air Races "features seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft with military and civil flight demonstrations," according to the National Championship Air Races website.