Investigators have released a preliminary report regarding a crash that occurred near Denver in early September involving a small plane with both pilots onboard, which experienced an engine failure during flight.
The National Transportation Safety Board indicates that one of the pilots was undergoing training when the incident occurred, close to 100th Anniversary Airport in Englewood, Colorado.
According to officials, the early morning flight was initiated at the request of one pilot who aimed to practice flying this specific aircraft, as they were looking to acquire a similar model.
They took off around 5:45 AM and flew within the traffic pattern of the airport, successfully completing several landings prior to the engine abruptly shutting down.
Less than an hour into the flight, the plane crashed into concrete barriers near a diesel generator, leading to its destruction and the tragic deaths of both pilots.
The individuals were later identified as Perry “Matt” Feeney and Lee “Rob” Hill, both Indigenous residents of Colorado.
The crash had initially been characterized as an explosion, likely due to its proximity to a diesel generator.
Upon impact, the aircraft caught fire, and the flames spread quickly, approaching a nearby building by the time emergency responders arrived.
Witnesses reported hearing the engine cut out as the plane flew overhead, with one local resident noting she observed the aircraft veering off course before it descended erratically and banked sharply to the left.
Significantly, neither pilot issued a distress call prior to the incident, according to the report.
Air Traffic Control Audio Contributor liveatc.net noted that an air traffic controller had cleared the plane for takeoff just before the crash occurred.
The NTSB and FAA are continuing their investigation into this tragic event.
