A Colorado emergency medicine professor and his young daughter died in a plane crash following an erratic flight over the state’s mountainous terrain, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Aaron Gingrich, 43, a faculty member at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, took off with his 3-year-old daughter, Isabella, on a single-engine aircraft on October 4. The NTSB report indicates that Gingrich engaged in an unstable flight pattern during the approximately three-hour journey, reaching altitudes as high as 15,000 feet before descending to around 7,375 feet shortly before the crash.

The flight path showed erratic altitude changes over northern Colorado, and investigators say the plane ultimately crashed near Eldorado Springs in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of approximately 7,360 feet. Both Gingrich and his daughter were pronounced dead at the scene.

In addition to his medical career, Gingrich was known for his involvement with Apesanteur Trapèze Volant, a circus troupe where he performed as a trapeze artist. The circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation. Officials have noted the irregular nature of the flight but have not yet released information about any mechanical issues or other contributing factors.

Local authorities and federal investigators continue to examine the wreckage and flight data to determine the cause of the crash. The NTSB report underscores the dangers of nonstandard maneuvers in small aircraft, especially when involving passengers.

The loss has been met with sadness in the medical and performing arts communities, where Gingrich was recognized for his diverse talents and dedication both as a physician and entertainer. Further updates will be made available as the investigation progresses.