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Officials: Plane crash at Iowa air show kills pilot

From Greg Morrison, CNN

September 2, 2012 -- Updated 1312 GMT (2112 HKT)

Watch fatal air show crash

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The plane crashes into an alfalfa field in Davenport, Iowa
• The pilot has not been identified by authorities
• A home video captures the crash and subsequent explosion

(CNN) -- A plane performing at an air show in Davenport, Iowa, crashed and exploded in front of thousands of spectators.

The pilot of the plane was killed in the accident Saturday afternoon when the plane nosedived into an alfalfa field during the Quad City Air Show, officials said.

The pilot, who died on impact, was not immediately identified by authorities.

The plane, a high performance L-39 Albatross jet trainer, was attempting a 45-degree bank when it crashed, Assistant Police Chief Don Schaeffer told CNN affiliate WQAD.

The pilot was a member of the Hopper Flight, a group of exhibition fliers, Schaeffer said.

A home video taken by a spectator showed what appeared to be three airplanes flying in formation when one appeared to experience a problem.

Seconds later, the plane hit the ground and exploded in a giant fireball.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please keep your seats," an announcer can be heard saying on the video obtained by CNN affiliate KWQC.

"We have training and personnel on board to handle these situations."

The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety, officials said.

The air show was temporarily halted after the crash, with "Taps" being sounded as aircraft flew in formation over the crowd.

The crash occurred just days after federal investigators released their findings behind the cause of a crash last September at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, that killed a pilot and 10 spectators. More than 60 others were injured in the crash.

Investigators found that unprecedented speed and worn aircraft parts were behind the accident.