Witness Said A Portion Of A Wing Came Off The Kit-Built Airplane

A kit-built Smyth Sidewinder went down last week in Boulder County in Colorado after a portion of one of the aircraft's wings apparently separated from the airplane, according to witnesses.

The pilot was identified as David Biesmeier, according to the Boulder County coroner.

A witness told the Longmont, CO Times-Call that she saw about half to three-quarters of the left wing of the airplane separate from the aircraft. "I heard the engine, and then the wing broke, and then I saw debris going down," said local resident Kira Cady.

The accident occurred about 12:47 local time, according to officials. Debris was scattered over a wide area.

It is not known where the flight originated. There are several GA airports in the region. The manager of Vance Brand Airport in Longmont said he did not recall anyone buying fuel for that type of airplane on Wednesday, and that no one at the airport saw such an aircraft.

Biesmeier was reportedly the only person on board the plane when it went down.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov