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Firefighter About Plane Crash: 'We Couldn't Be More Grateful'

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) – Authorities responded to a plane crash near Centennial Airport Saturday afternoon.

According to South Metro Fire Rescue, the crash occurred south of the airport near Belford Avenue and Peoria Street sometime after 3 p.m.

One person was taken to the hospital in an unknown condition and another was treated at the scene, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.

The plane lost one of its wings on the way down, striking several trees, ultimately landing upside down.

Firefighters told CBS4's Dillon Thomas they arrived to find both passengers alive, standing outside the aircraft.

The plane ended up in the Western Union parking lot. It's a single-engine Piper Cherokee -- an all metal aircraft which can seat up to four people.

It's unclear if the aircraft was taking off or landing. Damage done to nearby trees and the broken wing imply the aircraft was headed west to east while the runway runs north south.

Given the circumstances, and where the plane crashed, South Metro Fire Rescue says the outcome of the incident was a miracle.

"We couldn't be more grateful with how this scenario played out today. It could have been far worse," said Eric Hurst, South Metro Fire Rescue Spokesperson. "Certainly with a fuel spill; we're always worried there could be fire with the plane going through several objects and then hitting the asphalt. The concern is that people could be trapped in the wreckage and firefighters may have to cut them out.

"So the fact that they were able to safely come out of the aircraft and be out when firefighters arrived is great news."

The registration suggested the plane may have been recently purchased as last Tuesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash.

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