DENVER (KDVR) Two people are dead after a small aircraft crashed and caught fire near the Centennial Airport on Friday morning.
Shortly after 6:20 a.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving an initial call about an explosion. Responding to the scene, the sheriff’s office, along with South Metro Fire Rescue, discovered a small aircraft engulfed in flames within a business park located at 8636 South Peoria Street. This site is just south of the Centennial Airport.
Firefighters managed to contain a blaze that the rescue team indicated posed a threat to a structure and large generators; however, the sheriff’s office confirmed the unfortunate deaths of two individuals.
The rescue said there was no other damage to the building or generators, and no other people were involved, and there were no other injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board stated that a Beech BE35 airplane crashed under currently unknown circumstances, and a team member will be on-site to document the scene, inspect the plane, and transport it to a facility for further evaluation.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the board will consider various factors including flight track data, the pilot’s license, eyewitness accounts, aircraft maintenance records, and weather conditions.
The board is asking anyone who witnessed or has surveillance video of the crash or other information to contact them at witness@ntsb.gov.
