Overview

• The 1972 Cessna 340 crashed about a half-mile south of David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport around 12:13 p.m. shortly after refueling and departure for Lubbock, igniting brush fires near industrial buildings and a tree farm.
• Sgt. Richard Standifer of the Texas Department of Public Safety said the pilot reported a mechanical issue, attempted to turn back, and touched down well short of the runway before the aircraft burst into flames.
• The pilot and a passenger, described as an older man and woman, were the only people on board and did not survive; identities have not been released.
• Klein and Spring fire crews contained the fires by mid-afternoon as Harris County deputies secured the area and asked the public to avoid the site.
• TxDPS is leading the on-scene probe with FAA and NTSB involvement, the airport was closed for roughly 24 hours, and a preliminary NTSB report is expected in about 30 days.