Pilot dies when plane crashes onto BART tracks in Hayward

A pilot flying a small plane died Sunday afternoon when the aircraft crashed onto BART tracks in Hayward, officials said.

The plane, a twin-engine Piper PA23, went down at 12:05 pm at 1001 Whipple Road and Railroad Avenue, near Hayward’s border with Union City and about 4 miles east of Hayward Executive Airport. The pilot was the only person on board, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The plane caught fire when it crashed on transfer tracks near BART’s Hayward Yard and for a few hours halted train service on the Fremont line. Service has been restored, BART reported.

The crash occurred as hundreds of Warriors fans began making their way to Oracle Arena in Oakland for Game 7 of the NBA championship.

The pilot was male, but his identity was not immediately released.

Gregor said the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

FILE-- BART trains along the Fremont line roll through Hayward on Friday September 07, 2012. The BART transit system is celebrating it's 40th year in service. A small airplane crashed on the BART tracks in Hayward on Sunday June 19, 2016. less FILE-- BART trains along the Fremont line roll through Hayward on Friday September 07, 2012. The BART transit system is celebrating it's 40th year in service. A small airplane crashed on the BART tracks in ... more Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Pilot dies when plane crashes onto BART tracks in Hayward 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: NanetteAsimov