Small plane crashes at Pennsylvania airport; pilot killed

The crash at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport occurred around 12:35 p.m., authorities said. The pilot was identified as Andy Travnicek, a commercial airline pilot and U.S. Air Force veteran. He was the only person on board and there were no injuries on the ground.

The plane was heading north when it suddenly veered to the left “for reasons unknown,” crashed into the grass and caught fire, said the airport director, Carl Beardsley.

The plane was part of the GEICO Skytypers team, which flies World War II-era planes and was scheduled to perform Saturday at the Great Pocono Raceway Airshow.

The GEICO Skytypers identified Travnicek as the pilot and said a “thorough investigation is already underway” in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy and his family at this time,” the statement said.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team offered a “toast” to the fallen pilot on its Facebook page, saying Travnicek was a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a former C-5 Galaxy cargo plane pilot.

“He was a phenomenal pilot and friend,” the Thunderbirds said.