Posted on Fri, Jan. 09, 2004 Two die in plane crash

Two people died Thursday after their plane plunged headfirst into the ground near the Hollister Airport.

The impact of the ultralight airplane hitting ground killed William Dieck, 60, of San Jose and his passenger, the San Benito County Sheriff's Office reported. The passenger's name is being withheld pending notification of the family.

The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. near Shore Road and Highway 156, a few miles from the airport, Lt. Patrick Turturici said.

Turturici said an eyewitness reported seeing the plane circle several times and then bank toward the left and go nose-first toward the ground.

"There was no loud popping noise," Turturici said. "It was losing altitude."

Turturici said investigators discovered the plane badly crumpled.

It is unknown whether they took off from the airport or how long they were in the air, Turturici said.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration were at the scene of the accident, he said.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.