Pilot Injured in Van Nuys

A pilot was injured Friday when two single-engine planes collided on a Van Nuys Airport runway, authorities said.

A Piper Cherokee was being held for takeoff about 6:30 p.m. when it was struck from behind by a Malibu, said Jim Meloon, a Federal Aviation Administration operation officer. Both planes had been cleared for takeoff when the crash occurred, Meloon said.

"Neither plane made a mistake," Meloon said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident, he added. One pilot was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Meloon said.