Small plane pilot injured in northwest Colorado crash after suspected engine failure

The pilot of a small plane that crashed Sunday in Eagle County walked away with minor injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators believe the plane’s engine failed midflight, causing it to clip a tree and crash near Dotsero, in the 1200 block of Sweetwater Road, according to a news release from the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.

Dotsero is roughly 18 miles northeast of Glenwood Springs and 43 miles west of Vail.

Vail Public Safety Communications was notified about the incident by a Garmin alert shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, the release stated. Shortly after, someone called to report the plane crash.

Eagle County deputies responded to the crash site and found a 48-year-old man with a minor cut. He was the plane’s pilot, sheriff’s officials said.

The nearby plane had crashed onto its nose with its tail in the air, photos from the sheriff’s office show.

No one else was on board the plane at the time of the crash, and no other injuries were reported, according to the sheriff’s office.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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