World champion Red Bull stunt pilot Michel Leusch has been tragically killed while performing an aerobatic display at an air show.
Leusch, who flew for Red Bull, died in the crash after his plane spiralled out of control before crashing to the ground at the 1st Silk Road International General Aviation Convention held at Danxia airport in China.
He appeared to lose control during a dive and the plane crashed into the Gobi desert about 100 metres away from the airport runway.
Mr Leusch was accepted as a permanent member of the Red Bull Firestars stunt team earlier this year after training with them for three weeks in what he called a "life-changing experience".
Tributes are flooding in for the experienced pilot, who also took home first place in the Intermediate World Aerobatic Championships in 2014.
His pal Cobus Brink said: "Rest in peace my friend. Condolences to Natalie, Mike, Michel's father, and the rest of Michel's family and friends.
"Your loss is mine too. I still remember Mr Leusch's pride when his son was crowned the World Champion and Michel's pride in his dad for being there to share his joy. "
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Trevor Viljoen wrote: "I am feeling so devastated and heartbroken.
"You will be sincerely missed by just the person you were and always will be and I will always remember all the fun times we had together and thank you for all your help you gave me with my Rc flying and your support."
A probe is now underway to determine the cause of the crash, according to local media.
Sharon van Staden added: "After the devastating news of the tragic passing of a very dear friend, it again reminds me of just how precious and short life is.
"Live your life to the fullest, make the most of it because you never know what the new day brings. R.I.P. Michel Leusch taken way too soon!"
No onlookers were injured as the aircraft fell outside the airport fence, according to organisers.
It comes after hundreds of people watched a pilot crash into the ground at a US airshow in May.
Spectators at the PDK Airshow in Atlanta watched the pilot performing an aerial stunt in tandem with another plane but it went horribly wrong.
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The biplane pilot, named as Greg Conell, appeared to lose control because of “echanical failure" while performing an acrobatic trick and plummeted to the ground.
One onlooker who captured the moment said he was "sickened" by what he saw.