A Bombardier Challenger 601 (file photo below) was involved in a Sunday Morning takeoff accident that killed its pilots and injured at least three passengers known to be on board, including NBC Universal Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol.

The accident occurred at the Montrose Regional Airport in Colorado (185 miles SW of Denver) during a 1000 (local) takeoff with six people on board. Ebersol, 57, and two other passengers were transported Montrose Memorial Hospital, while another passenger, rumored to be Ebersol's son Teddy, was reported missing. Another son, Charles, is listed as one of the other survivors. Ebersol's wife, Susan St. James, was not on board the aircraft.

The aircraft failed to take off, ripping through a fence and undergoing extensive structural damage (one wing ripped off, cockpit torn loose) as it came to rest in an area covered with cedar trees and brush. 

Media reports indicate that the CL-601 Challenger involved was operated by AirJet Alliance of Millville, N.J., and was reportedly on its way to South Bend, Ind. The aircraft was ID'd as N873G... which the FAA database ID's as belonging to Hop A Jet Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The NTSB is investigating.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov