DENVER - At least three people are dead in Colorado after an airplane clipped the towline of another craft pulling a glider. One of the planes was made by Duluth-based Cirrus.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the two planes crashed, and the glider apparently disconnected and landed safely a short time after the mid-air accident. Authorities are working to confirm how many people were flying in the planes and glider.

One witness reported seeing two big balls of fire, including one attached to a parachute that fell slowly to the ground.

Others reported seeing smoldering wreckage in the prairie north of Boulder.

Amateur video shows a plane tumbling to the ground trailing thick, black smoke and a parachute. Cirrus SR20 planes are known for their incorporation of an airframe parachute that can float the plane and its passengers to the ground in the event of an accident.

Police say the three dead came from both of the planes that crashed.

Cirrus Vice President Bill King told the Duluth News Tribune that the company knew about the accident immediately and has a team that will be at the site Sunday morning.

“Our first concern is for the family of the people who are involved in the accident. That’s where our thoughts and our prayers are,” he said.

“We have an obligation to the authorities. We certainly know what caused the accident,” he continued. “Of course, the [National Transportation Safety Board] are the only ones that can comment on the accident itself.”

The Duluth News Tribune contributed to this report. FOX 21 and the Duluth News Tribune are news partners.