Two people survived a small plane crash on Wednesday morning, June 10, after their aircraft lost power and caught fire in a field east of South Fork.
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The crash happened around 9:54 a.m. near Shoshone Trail. South Fork Fire Rescue arrived to find the single-engine plane on fire. The crash also started a small grass fire in the surrounding field.
Firefighters quickly put out the grass fire, preventing it from spreading. This was a major concern because the area was under a Red Flag Warning, with strong winds up to 50 mph and dry air.
Both people inside the plane were able to get out on their own before emergency crews arrived. They suffered only minor injuries, and one person was taken to Rio Grande Hospital.
Officials say the plane had just taken off from a private airstrip. The pilot experienced engine problems and was trying to make an emergency landing at Chapman Field when the plane crashed.
The Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office and local fire crews responded to the scene. The FAA and NTSB have been notified and will investigate the cause of the crash.
