An investigation into a plane crash in southwest Colorado that left three people dead suggests the plane may have been experiencing engine problems.
The National Transportation Safety Board's report released Thursday says witnesses to the June 15 crash in Mineral County near Creede, did not hear the Cessna 320's engine when it tried to land. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft's nose suddenly drop and enter a steep, descending left turn when it was about 1,000 feet in the air.
The Times-Call reports that investigators haven't yet determined what caused the crash.
The report says the plane was being used to take photographs under a contract with the U.S. Forest Service.
The crash killed 51-year-old pilot Jere Ferrill of Castle Rock, as well as 17-year-old David Louwers and 28-year-old Mykhayl Sutton, both from Longmont.
Louwers was about to enter his senior year at Niwot High School, Denver7 Marc Stewart confirmed. His principal said flying and football were his passions.
“It’s a huge loss for our Niwot high school family. David’s really going to be missed,” said principal Eric Rauschkolb.
“He was the embodiment of what you want a high school student to be. He was funny, he was happy. He was friends to everybody.”
Louwers had just returned from football camp.
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