Phoenix plane missing in Colo., 3 on board

The twin-engine plane, headed from Phoenix to Alamosa, Colo., lost radar and radio contact with flight controllers at about 10:20 p.m. Pacific time Thursday night, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.

The pilot of the single-engine Piper PA-28 was talking to air traffic controllers in San Diego about 12:42 a.m. when they lost communication and the plane vanished from the radar, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.

Three dead in air-ambulance crash

All three people aboard a medical flight that crashed early this morning in southwestern Colorado died in the accident, authorities said today.

The downed plane was carrying a doctor, a paramedic and a flight nurse, said 1st Lt. Steve Hamilton of the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

One of the three on board also had piloted the plane, Hamilton said.