At about 0742 Mountain time, the airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The commercial pilot and non-certificated pilot/owner were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
Witnesses reported they heard the engine lose partial power when it was about 200-300 feet agl. The airplane made a sharp right-hand turn, which appeared to the witnesses as if the pilot was attempting to return to the airport, and the airplane’s nose suddenly dropped. Subsequently, the airplane descended straight down and impacted the terrain below.
