By Park Si-soo
A light aircraft crashed Saturday while performing a stunt during an air show. No injuries were reported thanks to the astute control of the plane by the pilot to avoid colliding into the watching crowd.
The pilot, Park Moon-joo, sustained minor injuries to his waist, said a spokesman for the 2011 G-Global Aviation.
The accident took place at around 3:10 p.m. Saturday, while Park’s KP-5 light aircraft was approaching the runway at low altitude. More than 100,000 people were standing alongside the runway at that time.
The plane suddenly emitted white smoke from its propeller and then went out of control, observers said. It soon turned toward the people but crashed into an empty field near the seating for the show.
Firefighters were dispatched to the crash site. The plane’s propeller was broken but the other parts of the aircraft remained intact.
“The plane went out of control after being hit by a strong wind,” Park said after escaping from the plane.
He was taken to a hospital for medical attention.
An investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause of the accident.
The aircraft, made in the Czech Republic for stunt flying, is capable of going 260 kilometers per hour and carrying 600 kilograms.
Meanwhile, the aviation event, consisting of flying demonstrations and exhibitions, will continue through May 10.