Dick Ebersol's jet crashes at Montrose Regional Airport
Dan Werner (Web producer)

Created: 11/28/2004 11:25 AM MST
Updated: 11/28/2004 3:56 PM MST

MONTROSE - NBC Sports Chairman and President Dick Ebersol was in a jet that crashed Sunday morning on takeoff, killing at least two people and seriously injuring two others near the Montrose Regional Airport, which serves the Telluride Ski Area. Ebersol survived the crash and his wife, Susan Saint James, was not on board.

Allen Kenitzer, regional Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, said the pilot, flight attendant and one passenger died when the plane burst into flames after crashing through a fence. Sheriff's officials only confirm two of the deaths. The jet reportedly was headed to South Bend, Ind.

Two other passengers suffered life-threatening injuries. The sixth person listed on the plane's manifest had not been found.

Kenitzer identified the plane as a CL-60 Challenger owned and operated by Global Aviation of Los Angeles, a charter service company. There was snow in the area but Kenitzer said he did not know if it was a factor.

Investigators from the FAA and National Safety Transportation Board were en route to the airport, 185 miles southwest of Denver.