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SPANISH FORK — Two occupants of an airplane are safe after its engine caught fire 10,000 feet in the air over Utah Lake on Thursday, authorities said.
Firefighters and emergency medical responders were called to the Spanish Fork Airport about 4:53 p.m., and crews extinguished the fire within 25 minutes, Spanish Fork city officials said in a news release.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the fire, but city officials said the pilot reported hearing a "bang" sound during the flight before smoke filled the cockpit.
"After a mayday call and series of midair S-turns, the smoke was cleared from the cockpit, and the pilot was able to land the aircraft on the runway. Both occupants of the aircraft were able to safely exit before flames engulfed the plane," the city statement said.
First responders from surrounding agencies assisted during the call.
The plane, a Diamond DA40 Diamond Star, was deemed a total loss estimated at $300,000 after the fire.
Pictures from the scene showed a small aircraft in flames with smoke billowing up into the air.
Contributing: Aimee Cobabe
