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MORGAN, Utah (AP) -- One man was killed and another injured when their sailplane crashed into a hillside.
Pilot Mark Merrill, 36, Bountiful, was killed and York Zentner, 37, Layton, was injured in the accident Monday afternoon, Morgan County sheriff's officers said.
Sheriff's Deputy Dawn McDonald said a powered aircraft took off from the Mountain Green Airport with the glider in tow. After the glider disconnected the tow, it lost airspeed and began descending rapidly toward a hillside where the Morgan "M" is painted on the mountain.
A witness said the pilot tried to pull the nose up but was unable to keep from hitting the hillside, McDonald said.
It took emergency crews about 20 minutes to reach the crash site because of the steep terrain and the remote area, the deputy said.
Merrill died en route to the hospital, McDonald said.
Zentner suffered a broken ankle and possible back injuries and was listed in fair condition.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
