A passenger who survived a plane crash near Black Hawk has told investigators the engine began sputtering before the aircraft tumbled to the ground, killing the pilot.

The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report said Jonathan Holton told investigators the single-engine Cessna began having trouble as the plane passed over the Eagle County Airport on May 8.

Pilot Barry Maggert was killed when the plane crashed about four miles west of Black Hawk. He was the brother of professional golfer Jeff Maggert.

Barry Maggert and Holton were flying from Carbondale to Boulder for the graduation of Maggert's son Lee from the University of Colorado.

Holton, the only passenger, suffered serious injuries.