Four Dead in Southern Utah Plane Crash | News

NORTH LAS VEGAS -- Four people were killed Tuesday when their single-engine plane that took off from the North Las Vegas Airport crashed in southern Utah.

According to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor, a single-engine Cirrus SR20 departed from North Las Vegas for Bryce Canyon shortly before 10 a.m. The company that owns the aircraft reported it missing when it failed to arrive at its destination. FAA officials say the plane made a quick stop in Mesquite before crashing into a ridge on the northeast boundary of Zion National Park. Airborne search units spotted the wreckage around 7:30 p.m. 

"The investigators will do an examination of the wreckage on site. They'll talk to any witnesses and review maintenance records," Gregor said.

The plane, registered to Hunt Aviation, was operated by Elite Flight Training and Management. Company officials released a statement Wednesday afternoon. "The pilot was very experienced in the aircraft and was on a non-training pleasure flight." The statement also said, "Elite Flight Training and Management would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families of those on board the aircraft."

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the accident. The NTSB could have a preliminary report on the crash within a week but it could be months before the cause of the crash is known.