A veteran US news anchor has died in a plane crash while working on a story about a stunt pilot.
Nancy Parker, who worked as a journalist for WVUE Fox 8 News for 27 years, was killed on Friday alongside pilot Franklin JP Augustus, who was a member of a Louisiana group that honoured Tuskegee Airmen, the news station reported.
A fire broke out onboard the aircraft shortly after it crashed near a field in East New Orleans just after 3pm, according the National Transportation Board of Safety.
"Today we mourn the loss of our longtime colleague and friend Nancy Parker," the station said in a statement to WDSU.
Nancy Parker was a popular news anchor with WVUE Fox 8 News in New Orleans. Source: Twitter/NancyParkerFOX8
"Details have not been released by authorities, but we can confirm she passed away in a plane crash while covering a story at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport."
A Federal Aviation spokesperson said the plane involved was a 1983 Pitts S-2B aircraft and crashed just south of the airport under unknown circumstances.
Nancy Parker was a five time Emmy award winning anchor. Source: Twitter/NancyParkerFOX8
Parker, an Alabama native, is survived by her three children and husband Glen Boyd, who serves as a Public Information Officer at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office. She was 53.
