Morning press conference, Sat. Jan. 25, 2003
SKY9 video of 26th and Irving crash site, Sat., 8 a.m. Jan. 25, 2003
9NEWS live report from West Moncrieff Place crash scene, Sat., 7 a.m., Jan. 25, 2003
9NEWS live report from 26th and Irving crash scene, Sat., 7 a.m., Jan. 25, 2003
Former NTSB investigator Greg Feith talks about plane crash investigations, Sat., 8 a.m. Jan. 25, 2003.
9NEWS video clips from the wreckage scenes Fri., Jan. 24, 2003
The names of the deceased have not been released.
The fifth person was confirmed dead Saturday morning. Officials say the victim was recovered from a single-engine Cessna 172 Skyhawk that crashed into a home in the 3400 block of West Moncrieff Place, killing two others onboard as well.
"We pulled out two and in the process of digging in the dirt and the debris we found the other body," said National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Arnold Scott.
Residents ran out of the home before it exploded, apparently from the plane fuel mixing with natural gas.
The other plane, a twin-engine Piper Cheyenne II, landed upside down in a backyard near 26th and Irving. Two people on that plane died.
Seven people on the ground, including a 2-year-old, were hurt by flying debris, but none of their injuries was serious.
Investigators worked through the night, examining an eight-block area scattered with debris. Neighbors were told not to move plane parts from where they landed.
People who find plane parts should call the police at 720-913-2000. The location and way it's found could be important to the investigation.
Aviation officials said the Cessna took off from Centennial Airport, in suburban southeast Denver, and was headed to Cheyenne, Wyo., The Piper took off from Jefferson County Airport, northwest of Denver, and was bound for Centennial Airport.
As many as 1,400 residents lost power temporarily, and officials shut off natural gas lines. Power and gas were restored at most homes by 7 p.m., about two hours after the planes crashed.
Several people witnessed the collision, while others heard and felt the crashes.
I heard a loud bang and looked out the window. I saw the plane crash, said Chuck Bolden, who lives near 29th and Lowell. There was debris falling everywhere from the sky. A chunk of one of the planes landed a few blocks away.
"I never thought I would see something like that. It takes your breath away. You just think about the people in those planes," said David Zambrano, who watched the crash from his business near West 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard.
Bart Mowroy was driving southbound on Irving. It was coming down so fast I could not tell how big (the plane) was. It appeared to be in a flat spin.
When it hit the ground, it took out power lines. There was an engine in someone's front yard, he said.
Another witness said, "I saw the fire in the air from the crash and then I saw it do a flat spin, said Sarah Buhr-Vogel. The people in the planes, the people on the ground. It makes your heart (stop).
In addition to NTSB investigators, 250 police officers divided up into eight search teams were on scene.
Denver Mayor Wellington Webb is asking federal investigators to launch a probe into the amount of air traffic over northwest Denver.
"This is something I will raise with both the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board," Webb said Friday. The mayor was in Washington attending a mayors' convention.
The Red Cross set up an information center Friday night at Highlands United Methodist Church, 3131 Oceola. Meanwhile, on Saturday, a community meeting was scheduled for 9 a.m. at 4401 Lowell, across from the Safeway. Counselors were available to talk with residents.
Wells Fargo Bank is collecting money for neighbors displaced by the crashes, and for those who suffered property loss or damage. Any Wells Fargo Bank will accept donations. Please refer to "Highlands Catastrophe Fund" account number 9768712409.
Commercial Federal Bank also has a fund, called the "Jan. 24 Relief Fund." Donations can be sent to:
Commercial Federal Bank
3460 West 38th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
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