Plane crashes during Michigan airshow as pilots landed safely

Two pilots aboard a fighter jet safely found their way out after the plane went out of control before crashing into unoccupied vehicles in a parking lot, as the Thunder Over Michigan air show was underway Sunday.

After it crashed, several videos circulating on social media showed it "bursting into a raging fireball.

The MiG-23 plane was operated by two pilots who ejected with the help of a parachute and safely landed. Afterward, they were taken to the hospital however, they sustained no injuries.

Wayne County Airport Authority statement said: “The crash of a retired Russian plane took place after 16:00 ET (21:00 BST) Sunday in Belleville, Michigan, during the Yankee Air Museum's Thunder over Michigan air show.”

The plane hit the ground where cars were parked at the Waverly on the Lake Apartments, missing an apartment building, according to authorities.

The local media reported that the plane "burst into a raging fireball", shortly before emergency crews arrived to extinguish the flames.

Video footage of the incident shows two short bursts of flames coming from the aircraft as the pilot and passenger are each ejected.

Authorities are determining what caused the crash while the Federal Aviation Administration has commenced investigating the incident.

Thunder Over Michigan air show website said: “The old Russian warcraft was piloted by Dan Filer, who is a retired Navy pilot from Texas.”

Filer, who collects old Soviet-time jets, told local media last year: "It's the only privately owned flying MiG-23 in the world."

According to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 was one of the most utilised Soviet warplanes during the Cold War — known for its advanced radar and fire control system.

The plane had the ability to launch missiles beyond visual range.