Story By: Angjela Trajkovska, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: CEN

Video Credit: CEN

This is the moment two pilots taking part in an aviation show are fatally injured when their small plane is completely destroyed as it swoops down into a woodland area sending debris flying.

The accident took place near the Pedro Cofino Autodrome during an air show in the city of Escuintla in south-central Guatemala.

The light aircraft was part of an aviation spectacle for the Motor Racing National Championship.

Pictures Credit: CEN & CEN/@BVoluntariosGT

The video was filmed by an eyewitness and shows the moment the aircraft nosedives towards the ground before crashing beyond the tree line in a huge cloud of dust and debris.

The emergency services were sent to the scene and attended the two crew members, identified as pilot Rodrigo Ibarguen and co-pilot Pablo Guillen.

Both men were seriously hurt in the plane crash, and later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

According to local media, it was the third plane accident that Ibarguen had been involved in after two previous incidents in 2015 and 2017.

The aerobatic pilot was reportedly approved by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States and was the founder of the G4 Team aviation school.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

Netizen ‘Brandon Ernesto Cajas’ commented: “Poor pilots.”

‘MrSoF’ said: “How sad. No they are flying as high as they can possibly go. Rest in peace Captain Ibarguen.”