Shocking footage has captured the moment a World War II era aircraft burst into flames after it crashed onto a motorway in southern California.

The plane, featuring the black-and-white cross of Germany’s Luftwaffe, crashed onto the busy 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills on Tuesday.

After crumpling into the central reservation, flames soared from the aircraft before the tail fell off completely.

The small plane – featuring the markings of Germany’s Luftwaffe – crashed onto a motorway in California (Caters)

The plane which crashed was a North American AT-6, painted with WW2 era German air force markings.

Los Angeles Police Department confirmed pilot pilot Rob Sandberg was rescued from the burning wreckage after getting trapped following an engine failure.

No cars were involved in the collision.

Mr Sandberg told KABC: “I picked a spot on the freeway where I knew there was a big section of cars that weren’t there.

“The engine completely failed. I was able to, fortunately, not hurt anybody other than the airplane.”

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Nearby Van Nuys airport confirmed the plane was from their Condor Squadron flying club, which flies WWII-themed planes over parades, celebrations, memorials and in mock dogfights.

Chris Rushing, president of Condor Squadron, told the Los Angeles Times the plane suffered ‘a catastrophic failure’.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the pilot was rescued from the burning wreckage after getting trapped (Caters)

The plane belonged to Condor Squadron, which flies WWII-themed planes over parades (Caters)

He added: “Thank God he’s OK and no one got hurt on the ground.”

The exact cause of the accident is not yet known.