DENVER (AP) - Federal investigators say a leaking fuel hose likely caused a fire that led to a fatal plane crash in northern Colorado.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the Beech 60 plane crashed near the Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland on May 15, 2019, after the right engine caught fire. Killed in the crash was the 69-year-old pilot, Thomas Lawson, of Golden, who was the only one on board.
KMGH-TV reports that surveillance video shows the engine was on fire as the plane headed toward the airport to land. Lawson tried to bank right but spun twice before crashing in a retention pond just off airport property.
The plane had been at an airport in Broomfield for about two years before the day of the crash, getting several upgrades, including a longer fuel line on the right engine. The NTSB report says the plane was not inspected by a mechanic before departure, “per special flight permit requirements.”
Lawson was instrument rated and had 7,000 hours of flying experience, with 100 hours on the Beech 60 and 25 hours in the 90 days before the May 15 flight.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.