DENVER (KDVR) — A plane that crashed along Interstate 25 near Larkspur was being used in an instructional flight on single-engine failure, according to a new report.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report about the June 16 crash, finding the pilots shut down the left engine but struggled to restart it.
Aviation expert reviews video of plane crash near I-25
The pilot and instructor left Centennial Airport just after 6:15 a.m. and practiced several landings. The two continued the lesson near Perry Park Airport southwest of Centennial.
According to the NTSB, they intended to practice “one engine inoperative emergency procedures.” They were able to restart the shuttered engine on a second attempt and decided to return to the airport.
However, the pilots noticed some issues and the flight instructor took control and headed toward Perry Park Airport. The plane continued to descend, so they set up for a forced landing on I-25.
During the landing, the left wing struck a road sign, causing the plane to crash in a swampy area next to the road around 7:53 a.m.