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Elko Plane Crash: Investigators Say Aircraft Lost Power After Takeoff

Federal regulators investigating a fatal plane crash in Elko say the medical aircraft appeared to lose power immediately after takeoff before it crashed into a parking lot and burst into flames, killing all four people on board.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report Thursday the twin-engine Piper "Cheyenne II" was still making its initial climb about a half-mile from the runway on Nov. 18 when it turned left about 30 degrees and stopped climbing.

A witness told the NTSB the plane bound for Salt Lake City then made an abrupt left bank and descended out of his line of sight before crashing.

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The pilot of the American Med Flight Inc. was killed along with two medical crew members and a patient.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.