Plane Burst Into Flames at Buena Vista Airport

The Chaffee County Communications Center received information of a plane that was on fire at the Buena Vista Airport.

Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze confirmed that when emergency personnel arrived, they found a single engine aircraft was taking off and was just becoming airborne when it hit the runway causing it to burst into flames. The plane came to rest just off the runway and the pilot was able to escape on his own.

The pilot, identity unknown, was transported to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center by Chaffee County EMS and was then airlifted to a regional burn center.

The FAA and NTSB were both notified and will investigate the incident.

Also assisting were the BVPD, BV Fire and Chaffee Fire.