The pilot killed in a Apple Valley, Calif., plane crash has been identified as 60-year-old Michael “Mike” Mangold, a world-famous aerobatics champion for Red Bull and resident of Victorville.
The crash occurred today at about 2:20 P.M., according to the Apple Valley Fire Protection District. The aircraft is described as an Aero L-39 Albatros. Witnesses say, that the small plane was attempting to take off from the airport located at 21600 Corwin Road.
Mangold was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 10th 1955 and is the oldest of three children. He moved to California at 3 years old and then to Pennsylvania for his high school years. Mangold previously performed shows at the Apple Valley Airshow in his L-39 that crashed today. He was also a Boeing 757 and 767 commercial pilot for American Airlines.
For the complete story by Victor Valley (Calif.) News, click here.
