Overview

• The 1972 Cessna 340 went down around 12:13 p.m. just south of the runway in Spring, Texas, shortly after departing for Lubbock.
• Texas DPS said the pilot reported a mechanical issue, attempted to return, touched down well short of the runway, and the aircraft ignited on impact.
• Authorities confirmed two fatalities, a man and a woman, with identities withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
• The crash sparked brush fires near industrial buildings and a tree farm that Klein Fire, Spring Fire Department, and Harris County ESD 16 contained by mid-afternoon.
• TxDPS is leading the probe with NTSB investigators on scene, the airport is closed for 24 hours, and a preliminary NTSB report is expected in about 30 days.