Four Aboard The Airplane Fatally Injured When It Went Down

The NTSB says it has video from a security camera of a Cessna 172 (similar aircraft pictured) which went down shortly after takeoff from St. George Municipal Airport in southern Utah early Saturday. All four men aboard the airplane were fatally injured when it impacted the ground about 300 yards from the runway.

NTSB spokesperson Zoe Keliher said the airplane can be seen in the video flying at a low level for nearly the entire length of the runway before making a rapid climb. The airplane then reportedly descends and disappears from the camera view.

The airport is not staffed at night. The Associated Press reports that the wreckage was not discovered until about four hours after the accident, according to Mark Mortensen, who is the assistant to the St. George city manager. It is believed all four were killed on impact.

While the NTSB would not say who was flying the airplane, only one person on board, 23-year-old Tanner Holt, held a pilot certificate. A friend said that Holt had flown commercially. All of those on board were under 30 years old.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov