2 Die As Plane Plunges Into River

The Spokane County Sheriff’s dive team and other emergency personnel search the wreckage of a small plane that crashed into the Spokane River Thursday, near Felts Field in Spokane. Witnesses said two victims were pulled from the submerged plane. (SR photo: Colin Mulvany)

Two men in a plane that crashed during a test flight and sank into the Spokane River near Felts Field Thursday afternoon died after they were underwater for nearly 30 minutes. Witnesses said the plane sounded like it was having engine problems and appeared to lose power as it flew east over Millwood just before 4 p.m. “I knew something wasn’t right,” said David Dexter, who was east of Felts Field when he saw the plane fly overhead, then dip sharply toward the ground. “It sounded weird, like it was struggling.” Dexter said the plane pulled out of the sharp dip, then banked to one side before he lost sight of it. He said it sounded like the engine was whining at high RPMs even while losing altitude/ Mike Prager , SR. More here .