Small Plane Crash Kills 2 in Brazil

A small plane carrying an air force colonel and his pilot crashed shortly after takeoff in western Brazil, killing both, authorities said Wednesday.

The private single-engine aircraft crashed Tuesday afternoon near the city of Cuiaba, 1,850 kilometers (1,150 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo in Mato Grosso state, Brazil's National Civil Aviation Authority said.

The victims were identified as air force Col. Carlos Octavio Xavier, who was on vacation, and pilot Juliano Cutarelli.

Aviation spokeswoman Fabiana Castro said authorities were investigating.

Earlier this month another small plane crashed in Mato Grosso, killing six people.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Aircraft Maintenance Technology" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.