El Paso.- A pilot, the sole occupant of an exhibition plane, died following a crash that occurred this afternoon, October 20, at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, according to Officer Amanda Richards of the New Mexico State Police. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m., during an air show at Las Cruces International Airport.
Andy Hume, the airport director, confirmed in a press conference that the pilot, who was participating in the event's aerobatics display, lost his life in the crash. Hume noted that the pilot's family had been notified.
The airport's first aid and rescue team responded quickly to the accident, but the cause of the accident has not yet been determined. The investigation is being conducted by the New Mexico State Police.
Following the tragic incident, other events were cancelled. The Las Cruces community has expressed its sadness over the loss, while awaiting further information regarding the circumstances of the accident.