Members of the Boulder Rural Fire Protection District and Boulder Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a plane crash northwest of the intersection of Independence and North 57th St. today at 11:48 a.m. Upon arrival they found a Beachcraft Bonanza aircraft abandoned in the field.
Witnesses reported that the aircraft had been flying in a westerly direction, making an attempt to land. The aircraft touched down hard on one wheel, causing it to abruptly turn to the north. The aircraft continued moving north, running through a fence and striking a vehicle that was heading eastbound on Independence.
The right wing of the aircraft crashed into the back of the vehicle, causing moderate to severe damage to the vehicle’s rear passenger side. The two people that were in the vehicle during the crash were not injured.
The aircraft continued on, crossing Independence, when the left wing struck a power pole, which sheared off the wing on impact. The aircraft finally slowed to a stop in the field. Witnesses observed the pilot of the aircraft exit the plane and run across the field in the direction of the Boulder Municipal Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been notified of the accident, and because a vehicle was involved, the Colorado State Patrol is assisting with the investigation.
The owner and pilot of the aircraft is a 67-year-old male from Commerce City. He contacted the FAA and met officials at the crash site, and representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board are en route to the scene to conduct an investigation.
