North Texas Couple Killed After Plane Crashes In Colorado
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A Keller couple has died in a plane crash in Colorado.
The Cirrus SR-22, based in Roanoke, belonged to Mike Fritzel. Mike and his wife, Paula Fritzel, were the only people onboard when the plane went down just after takeoff near Peterson Air Force Base.
Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) say Mike Fritzel reported a sudden loss of engine power. On an air traffic control recording, Fritzel can be heard saying, "I'm having engine problems. We'd like to turn around."
The plane crashed and burst into flames just before 11 a.m. Monday. Witnesses in the area said they saw the plane spinning and tumbling from the sky.
The couple took off from the Colorado Springs Airport, but their destination remains unknown.
Mike Fritzel owned Link Up International, a business based at Northwest Regional Airport. He owned several hangers at the airport.
Officials with the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash.
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