Plane hits Texas TV station tower and crashes, killing pilot
|
Version 0 of 1. A light plane hit the transmitter tower of a TV station in Texas before crashing nearby, killing the pilot. Journalists at news station KCBD 11 in Lubbock resorted to Facebook and Twitter to get updates out after the crash on Wednesday evening. A plane has struck the KCBD tower and taken out power to the station. Fire and emergency units are on the scene. http://t.co/O3gj57If4l The Federal Aviation Administration said: “A single-engine Piper PA-46 crashed while on approach to Lubbock’s Preston Smith international airport. The aircraft dropped off radar screens about 7.30pm local time. “The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed a crash site inside the city limits of Lubbock. FAA investigators are on their way to the site. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.” The pilot was later named as Kenneth Mike Rice, a local doctor. The TV channel said power went out when the plane hit and staff were ordered to evacuate. There were brief power cuts in surrounding areas including at a basketball arena where Kansas State was due to play Texas Tech. The station later announced it would be broadcasting from an alternative location to get its evening news bulletin out. |