2 Die In F-14 Air Show Crash

Two pilots died when their military plane crashed during an air show at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania.

The F-14 Tomcat, with two pilots, was taking part in one of the final performances at the Willow Grove 2000 Sounds of Freedom show at the base 15 miles north of Philadelphia, said KYW-AM.

The plane went down into a wooded area near houses. No spectators were injured and there were no immediate reports of injuries, authorities said.

The Tomcat apparently was displaying a landing wave-off maneuver, coming in at slow speed, when trouble developed and it careened into the woods, said KYW reporter Al Novak, who was at the show and witnessed the crash.

"It had done all of its routine and it was coming in for a simulated landing on an aircraft carrier," Novak said. "The Tomcat came in for its slow approach, was waved off, and then sped off towards a wooded area."

The plane got about a half-mile away from the runway, flying at tree level, he said.

"The plane kind of just belly-flopped down, then there was an explosion, flames, and a big black plume of smoke went up into the sky," Novak said.

Military police and fire units sped to the scene. Police and fire officials were directing traffic around the area.