Two crewmembers died yesterday when their PB4Y air tanker crashed outside of Denver, Colorado while attempting to drop fire retardant on a 1,200-acre wildfire. Witnesses told investigators with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Transportation Safety Board today that after erupting into flames, the plane's left wing came off and the aircraft "spiraled down." Hawkins & Powers Aviation of Greybull, Wyoming, owned the PB4Y model. The names of the victims have not been released.

The crash took place about 45 miles northwest of Denver near the Rocky Mountain National Park. The fire, which is believed to be manmade, started Wednesday and spread rapidly, threatening 300 homes in the area.