Plane owned by N.M. Olympian crashes

SEDONA, Ariz. (KRQE) - A plane registered to a two-time Olympic athlete from Albuquerque crashed and burned while taking off an Arizona airport Thursday morning killed all three aboard.

Sedona, Ariz., police say three bodies were removed from the wreckage Thursday afternoon. The medical examiner is now working to confirm the identities of those killed in the crash.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the plane went off the south end of the runway and down a tree-covered slope at around 9:30 a.m. Albuquerque time.

Witnesses reported the plane then burst into flames. Kenitzer also confirmed that the plane was a two-engine Beech 60.

The plane, which refueled at the Sedona airport, is registered to Pat Porter, who was a long distance runner for the U.S. team at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.  He also was an eight-time U.S. cross country champion.

Porter's wife Trish, who was a U.S. Olympic high jumper in 1988, told KRQE News 13 her husband was supposed to be on the plane. Sources told News 13 Porter left on Sunday for a trip with his 15-year old son and his son's friend.

Family friend Chip Smith, a former University of New Mexico All-American runner who trained with Pat, said he's hoping for the best.

"He's an icon in the running community," Smith said.  "It's a sad day if this is true."

Authorities have not confirmed the identities of those killed in the crash. The investigation into what caused the plane to crash is still in the early stages.