Tony Clark: Probe begins into Colorado plane crash


Tony Clark

CNN Correspondent Tony Clark is in Beyers, Colorado, where investigators are trying to determine why a twin-engine plane crashed over the weekend, killing all 10 occupants, including two Oklahoma State University basketball players.

Q: What have investigators found at the crash scene?

CLARK: During an initial search of the debris field, investigators found parts of the plane before the main impact site of fuselage. John Hammerschmidt of the National Transportation Safety Board would not discuss the significance of the finding, but it would appear to indicate that parts of the plane came off before the crash.

Q: Did investigators determine any cause?

CLARK: They are looking at what effect weather may have played in the crash. There was a dusting of snow -- more snow came after the crash. But it was cold and icy when the plane plunged into the field. Weather analysts are part of the NTSB "go-team."

The FBI is part of the evidence response team. It's a new role that the FBI has taken on to assist the NTSB in investigating plane crashes. But the special agent in charge at the scene said not to assume by their presence that there was any sign of foul play because, he said, there is no indication the crash was anything but an accident.

Q: How are locals reacting?

CLARK: The investigators have set up their command post at the Strasburg Fire Hall. Earlier, the media was gathered to await a news conference at a dairy farm across from the field where the plane went down. We didn't see any spectators at the crash site and there was little activity at the dairy.

We were told some victims' families may come to the crash site.

Q: What will happen to the victims' remains?

CLARK: The remains have been removed from the crash site by the Adams County Coroner's office. It is unclear whether the bodies were taken to the coroner's office in Brighton, Colorado, or to another facility where they will be identified.

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