Gives New Meaning To The Phrase "Crash And Dash"

The pilot of a Beech Bonanza landing in gusty winds at Boulder, CO Wednesday lost control of the airplane after one of the wheels hit the ground hard. The plane was turned into wind and careened through a nearby field, hit some street signs, and clipped a Toyota Prius just before impacting an electric pole which tore off one of the plane's wings.

The driver of the car, Ken Marcoux, said the plane hit the rear window of his car just missing his wife's head before it continued down an embankment after hitting the pole. Marcoux said the plane was probably going "100 to 110 miles an hour" when it hit his hybrid.

Television station KUSA reports that witnesses saw the plane's pilot, 67-year-old Joe Curtis, flee the scene carrying a black bag. Marcoux said he ran toward the control tower using unprintable language. Authorities brought in bloodhounds to search for Curtis, who is one of two registered owners of the plane. FAA records indicate the Bonanza is a Model 35 constructed in 1947.

Curtis reportedly contacted the FAA and NTSB later in the day. NTSB officials said he could face charges following the investigation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov