Update On Plane Crash Near Ruidoso

The family of two of the boys injured in a deadly Ruidoso plane crash arrived in El Paso Friday night, coming in from Albuquerque.

The boys, 12-year-old Kristopher Richey and his 16-year-old brother Alexander, are at University Medical Center, and both are still in critical condition.

According to a close relative, Alexander was undergoing surgery Saturday to have his jaw and abdomen repaired. His leg was broken in two places as a result of the crash.

However, the relative said he woke up Saturday before surgery and was responsive; it was the first time since the accident that he was responsive.

Meanwhile, the relative said Kristopher was talking to family members; he was fully aware of what had happened and was walking.

Both of the boys’ parents were killed in the crash.

According to transportation officials, it could be a year before they know what caused the Cessna 310 to overshoot the runway.

On Friday, investigators continued collecting what evidence they could from the mangled mess. “The airplane landed on what we call very left wing low and cartwheeled…it hit the ground,” said NTSB investigator Tim LeBaron.

Also killed in the crash were Rodney and Delaine Duree and their son, Lake. Investigators say Rodney was the pilot.

(Original story follows below)

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The National Transportation and Safety Board released preliminary findings Friday afternoon into Thursday’s airplane crash near Ruidoso that killed five people.

The NTSB said seven people were riding in the six-seat Cessna 310R plane when it crashed shortly before 10 a.m. while on approach to the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. NTSB officials said they do not know at this time if the seating situation contributed to the crash.

Weather did not appear to be a factor and the pilot did not make a mayday call prior to the accident. The NTSB also said the plane did not clip any trees or power lines. The left wing struck the ground first, causing the plane to cartwheel.

The investigation is expected to take about a year.

Five members of two Texas families killed in a New Mexico plane crash were traveling so they could spread the remains of one of their mothers.

State police say investigators have learned the purpose of the trip was to distribute the remains of Mary Richey, mother of Lowell Richey, who died in the crash with his wife, Keri Richey.

Also killed were Rodney and Delaine Duree and their 11-year-old son, Lake. Rodney was the pilot and owner of the aircraft.

The survivors, 16-year-old Alexander Richey and 12-year-old Christopher Richey, were critically injured and taken to University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

All are from Granbury, Texas.

Witnesses told investigators the aircraft plunged while attempting to land Thursday near Ruidoso, about 70 miles west of Roswell.

ABC-7 Reporter Veronique Masterson contributed to this report.

Read previous story on crash and victims here.