A small plane departing from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport crashed shortly after takeoff on Saturday morning, killing both occupants.
The plane, a Beechcraft 95-B55, took off around 10 a.m. and crashed minutes later in a field north of US 36, investigators said. First responders quickly extinguished a small grass fire at the site.
The pilot had reported an open door and was attempting to return to the airport for an emergency landing before losing contact with air traffic control. The cause of the crash remains undetermined. Officials are advising the public to avoid the area while the investigation is underway
