AUSTIN, Colo. (AP) - Three people were killed after a small plane crashed near Austin in western Colorado, authorities said Thursday.
Preliminary reports indicated the Cessna 182 Skyline crashed into power lines and was destroyed by fire, killing the pilot and two passengers, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said.
Names of the victims were not immediately released.
Delta County sheriff's officials said the crash was reported at about 11 a.m. Austin is about 170 miles southwest of Denver.
The plane was registered to Glen T. Harcourt of Placerville, but it was not immediately known whether he was aboard, Kenitzer said.
Steven Jillad, manager of Harcourt's construction company, Steeprock Builders, said he did not know who was on the plane and declined to comment Thursday afternoon. He said he did not know Harcourt's plans for Thursday.
It was unclear where the plane was headed but may have left from Telluride, Kenitzer said.
The crash was under investigation.