2 Killed In Vintage Plane Crash In Durango Identified
DURANGO, Colo. (CBS4) - Two people killed when their plane crashed near the Durango-La Plata County Airport this morning have been identified.
The small private plane, a P-51, crashed on takeoff at 9:29 a.m. just north of the runway at the airport.
The plane got about 1/4 mile up in the air before crashing nose first.
The victims have been identified as the plane's owner, John Earley, and his flight instructor, Mike Schlarb. Schlarb was a retired engineer with the Durango Fire Department. Both men were in their 50s.
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II.
County Road 309A has been closed because of the crash investigation and cleanup.
The NTSB is expected to arrive in a few hours to begin their investigation.
The airport remains open with takeoffs and landings continuing as scheduled.
