Two members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) died, and another was injured when a small plane crashed in Colorado’s Front Range on Saturday morning.
The Cessna 182 aircraft went down near Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain west of Loveland around 11:15 a.m.
The plane was on a training mission focused on aerial photography, officials said.
Fatal Crash in Colorado Mountains
The single-engine Cessna 182 was engaged in a routine aerial photography training mission when it crashed in the mountainous area.
The crash site was located about 200 feet below the summit of Palisade Mountain, a remote region known for its steep terrain and dense trees.
Officials said three CAP members were aboard the plane.
Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten were identified as the two victims who died in the crash.
Co-pilot Randall Settergren survived but suffered severe injuries.
He was airlifted to a local hospital by a National Guard helicopter and is currently receiving medical care.
Challenging Rescue Operations
The crash site presented serious challenges for first responders due to its rugged and remote location.
Emergency crews had to hike through rocky terrain and dense trees to access the wreckage.
The area, part of the burn scar from this summer’s Alexander Mountain Fire, was described as both steep and treacherous.
National Guard helicopters played a critical role in rescuing the injured survivor.
Larimer County Sheriff’s Office officials said recovery efforts for the two deceased individuals could take several days due to the difficult conditions.
Multiple agencies, including Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and Thompson Valley EMS, worked together during the response.
Tributes to Victims and Survivors
Governor Jared Polis sent his condolences to the families of those killed and complimented the CAP members' commitment to serving Colorado.
In his statement, Polis praised their voluntary service and stressed their contributions to make the state safer.
Major General Laura Clellan of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also sent a touching note.
She described the loss as terrible and praised the courage of first responders who fought valiantly to help.
The CAP has offered full assistance in the investigation to identify what caused the incident.
Investigation into Crash Causes
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation into the crash.
Officials have not yet determined the cause.
A local resident described "extremely windy" conditions and reported hearing the plane's engine throttle moments before the crash.
The crash occurred in a remote area within the burn scar of the Alexander Mountain Fire, which burned nearly 10,000 acres earlier this year.
The steep and rocky terrain is expected to extend recovery efforts and complicate the investigation.
The CAP remains committed to supporting authorities in determining the facts of the accident.
