A flight instructor was teaching a student how to restart a plane’s engine in mid-flight when mechanical problems forced the two men to attempt a landing on Interstate 25 near Larkspur last year, according to a federal report.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report describes the circumstances of the emergency landing and crash, which occurred after one of the plane’s wings struck a road sign, causing it to veer into a nearby swamp.
The report did not specify the cause of the malfunction aboard the Tecnam P2006T aircraft, and the NTSB investigation into the accident is ongoing.
On June 16, the two left Englewood’s Centennial Airport and made five landings before departing again to practice in-flight emergency procedures.
When they turned off one of the plane’s engines, it took two attempts to restart. They decided to return to the airport but noticed that the plane was becoming difficult to fly as engine coolant levels and RPMs dropped.
The flight instructor took over, but the plane continued its descent and the two prepared for a forced landing on I-25. The instructor and student were seriously injured in the accident.
The report notes that video of the crash shows the plane’s left propeller not turning as the plane descended over the highway.
The recording devices aboard the plane were recovered from the crash site and were examined along with the plane by NTSB investigators.
Sign up to receive daily crime news straight to your inbox.
denverpost
