Plane crashes near Tucumcari

TUCUMCARI — A single-engine plane crashed early Friday afternoon in a field six miles east of Tucumcari, New Mexico State Police said.

The pilot and one passenger, both from Yuma, Ariz., were taken to Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari with injuries, Police Lt. Cleo Baker said. Officials were notified of the crash at 12:45 p.m. Friday, Baker said.

The pilot, Gary Mayer, had landed earlier at the Tucumcari Municipal Airport to refuel, Baker said.

After taking off, Mayer radioed that the plane was unable to gain altitude, Baker said.

The fixed-winged plane came down in a pasture about a quarter-mile south of Interstate 40, Baker said.

The plane showed evidence of nose, engine and wing damage, Baker said. Mayer and passenger Kathryn Blohm both suffered lacerations and broken bones from the crash, Baker said.

The investigation will be turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“We diagrammed the scene of the crash and secured it for the FAA,” NMSP Patrolman Steve Chacon said.

The Beech 35-B33 fixed-wing plane was manufactured in 1962 and is owned by Yuma RG Flyers Club LLC, according to records on the FAA Web site.