Authorities have identified the female pilot whose plane crashed in Castle Rock Monday night after it hit power lines.
Helen Cernik, 32, remains in the hospital for injuries sustained when her around 7 p.m. in the Sapphire Pointe area, said Karen McGrath, spokeswoman for the Town of Castle Rock.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
Neighbors described seeing a bright flash of blue light, then hearing a loud boom moments later.
Resident Jennifer Frieling said she was sitting at her kitchen table when she heard the crash. She called 911, then grabbed a coat and flashlights and headed out toward the ravine. She shouted down into the gulch, then turned to see the pilot lying a few feet away.
“I don’t know if she crawled out or if she was ejected,” Frieling said. “She was alive. That’s a good thing.”
Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ryanparkerdp
