The Nation : Musicians Die in Air Crash

A twin-engine plane that crashed and burned near a Montana resort, killing all 10 people aboard, was carrying a popular bluegrass band, authorities said. All six members of The Montana Band and the 12-year-old son of a band member died in the crash. Also killed were the group’s road manager, the pilot and a woman accompanying the pilot. Based in Reno, the band became popular among country music fans after winning the 1986 Willie Nelson Music Invitational. The band had played a private engagement at Flathead Lake and had taken off from the Kalispell City Airport en route to Coeur d’Alene, Ida. Federal aviation officials were investigating.