A single-engine plane crashed onto an American football field on 25 September, leaving the flight instructor and student on board critically injured.

The incident happened in the neighbourhood of Wilmington in Los Angeles, California, at 12:53pm local time.

According to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), firefighters who came to the scene found one person outside of the aircraft after being taken out by two bystanders.

The pilot, who was still inside the plane, was taken out safely by the firemen.

The two people, a male estimated to be 45 years old and a female of approximately 30 years of age, were transported to hospital in critical condition.

LAFD said in a statement: 'The plane, a 'Sling TSi', had only the two occupants. Fortunately, there were no injuries to anyone else in the area.

'While fuel did leak onto the ground, there was no fire involved in the crash. Firefighters worked with Watershed Protection to ensure safe mitigation of the hazard.

'The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are the investigating agencies.

'Upon their request, firefighters disconnected the battery in the aircraft and secured the scene until their arrival.'

Local officials are now praising the pilot for landing on the empty field as a nearby park is usually packed with children and parents.

Los Angeles City Councilman Tim Mcosker told local media: 'This could have been a much larger tragedy.'

The condition of the two injured is currently unknown.

The cause of the crash has not been determined yet.

A single-engine plane has crashed onto a football field leaving the flight instructor and the student critically injured.

The incident happened in the neighborhood of Wilmington in Los Angeles, in the U.S. state of California, at 12:53 pm on Monday, September 25.

According to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), firefighters who came to the scene found one person outside of the aircraft after being taken out by two bystanders.

The pilot, who was still inside the plane, was taken out safely by the firemen.

The two people, a male estimated to be 45 years old and a female of approximately 30 years of age, were transported to hospital in critical condition.

LAFD said in a statement: 'The plane, a 'Sling TSi', had only the two occupants. Fortunately, there were no injuries to anyone else in the area.

'While fuel did leak onto the ground, there was no fire involved in the crash. Firefighters worked with Watershed Protection to ensure safe mitigation of the hazard.

'The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are the investigating agencies.

'Upon their request, firefighters disconnected the battery in the aircraft and secured the scene until their arrival.'

Local officials are now praising the pilot for landing on the empty field as a nearby park is usually packed with children and parents.

Los Angeles City Councilman Tim Mcosker told local media: 'This could have been a much larger tragedy.'

The condition of the two injured is currently unknown.

The cause of the crash has not been determined yet.