A tragic plane crash in Odessa, Texas, early Monday morning resulted in the deaths of two people and sparked fires across several buildings, according to local authorities. The incident involved a Cessna Citation business jet that was taking off from Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airport when it struggled to gain altitude, said Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis.
The plane ultimately crashed, leading to the fatal outcome for the two individuals on board. Officials have yet to release additional details about the passengers. The crash ignited fires that engulfed multiple structures, including mobile homes, storage facilities, and a restaurant, affecting an entire block. The fire was brought under control within hours, Griffis confirmed. One woman sustained injuries when her mobile home caught fire and was subsequently rescued and transported to a local hospital. Her condition remains unknown.
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“There was a large fire after some explosions,” Griffis reported, noting that witnesses saw the plane struggling to gain altitude before it clipped power lines and crashed into an alleyway. “It’s obvious the pilot attempted to avoid the houses,” he added.
Photos shared by city officials showed burning vehicles, charred signs, and damaged power lines. Despite the damage, only 22 energy customers in Ector County are currently without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Witnesses in the area described the terrifying scene. One individual, who was working near the crash site, observed the plane struggling and recounted feeling the heat wave from the explosion after impact. “There was another subsequent explosion,” the witness reported.
In response to the disaster, the Red Cross has established a local shelter to assist those whose homes were damaged by the crash.
Odessa, a city of 110,000 people near the New Mexico border, is located roughly five hours’ drive from both San Antonio and Austin.
Key Points:
Plane Crash in Odessa, Texas: A Cessna Citation business jet crashed early Monday morning in Odessa, Texas.
Two Fatalities: The crash resulted in the deaths of the two people on board the plane. Their identities have not yet been released.
Buildings on Fire: The crash ignited fires that spread to multiple buildings, including mobile homes, storage facilities, and a restaurant, affecting an entire block.
Injured Woman: One woman was injured when her mobile home caught fire. She was rescued and taken to a local hospital, but her condition is currently unknown.
Witness Reports: Witnesses saw the plane struggling to gain altitude before it clipped power lines and crashed into an alleyway.
Efforts to Avoid Houses: Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis suggested that the pilot attempted to avoid houses before the crash.
Photos of Damage: Images from the crash site showed burning vehicles, charred signs, and damaged power lines.
Power Outages: Only 22 energy customers in Ector County were left without power following the crash, according to PowerOutage.us.
Red Cross Assistance: The Red Cross established a local shelter for those whose homes were damaged in the crash.
Location: Odessa is a city of 110,000 people in western Texas, near the New Mexico border, and is approximately a five-hour drive from both San Antonio and Austin.
