Flight student dies in Moriarty plane crash
By Corey Howard
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MORIARTY, New Mexico (KOAT) — A flight student died and the instructor was critically injured in a crash near Moriarty, New Mexico, after the plane suffered an engine failure, according to Torrance County Sheriff David Frazee.
Frazee said, “I have seen a lot of posts on the internet, on social media and some phone calls indicating that they’re all praying for the survivor and the family of the deceased.”
The crash occurred near McNabb Road and Highway 41. Frazee explained that when an engine fails, the plane loses thrust and lift, requiring the pilot to find a nearby spot to glide down and land. He noted that instead of keeping the plane level, the pilot attempted a U-turn to land in a field, which he believes caused the plane to descend faster.
Frazee said, “So the plane was descending fairly rapidly. It flew over and hit the light pole here. The telephone pole snapped that pole off and cut power out.”
Power has since been restored in the area, and the condition of the crash survivor is improving, according to Frazee. Law enforcement officials stated that the crash remains under investigation.
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