LOVELAND, Colo. — A small plane lost power and crashed shortly after takeoff from a northern Colorado airport Thursday morning, according to the Loveland Police Department (LPD).
The pilot of the single-engine Piper PA-24 declared an emergency after departing Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
LPD said the plane lost power shortly after takeoff just before 7 a.m. During the emergency landing, police said, the plane touched down on its belly in the westbound lanes of Crossroads Boulevard, veered into a light pole that sheared off the left wing, and spun onto the shoulder of the street just west of Byrd Drive.
Two people were aboard, according to the FAA. The pilot was transferred to Medical Center of the Rockies following the crash, according to the Northern Colorado Regional Airport. The passenger was not hurt, LPD said.
Interstate 25 and Crossroads Boulevard is located about 50 miles north of the Denver metro area. Northern Colorado Regional Airport is located near the location where the aircraft crashed.
Police closed access to the area for about 45 minutes.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, according to LPD.
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