By NBC News, msnbc.com staff and news services
A Texas mother and a pilot were killed after a private plane crashed in a snowstorm near the Colorado ski resort town of Steamboat Springs on Sunday, according to police and media reports.
Gabby Humpal, from Corpus Christi, died in the crash while her husband Dr Scott Humpal and their three children survived and were taken to the Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Spings, NBC News station kristv.com reported.
The pilot was also killed. Authorities have not officially released the names of any of the six on board.
The Cessna 414 is registered to Scott A. Humpal of Woodsboro, Texas. Humpal owns six physical-therapy clinics in Texas, kristv.com said.
The Denver Post reported that the crash happened at about 3:30 p.m. local time Sunday at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden.
Airport manager David Ruppel said investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board were en route to begin their investigation into the cause of the crash.
Winter storm dumps storm on South
'Zero visibility'
He would not comment on whether the plane had notified the airport of mechanical problems or whether visibility might have caused the pilot to attempt to land just short of the runway south of the airport.
However, he told the Steamboat Pilot: “They were right in the middle of a major snowstorm. They had zero visibility.”
Family friends told kristv.com that Dr Humpal had suffered a punctured lung, while Sara, their youngest daughter had a broken back. She was listed in critical condition.
"My wife was a woman of God and I am sure that Jesus welcomed her into heaven with open arms," Dr Humpal posted a statement on Facebook. "The boys and I have several injuries but will recover. Sara has some very serious injuries, please pray for her! Thank you all for your concern."
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The Associated Press, NBC News station kristv.com's Tyler Garrett and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.
