Near-Tragedy in Texas: Plane Crash Injures 4 After Fuel Runs Out

UPDATE: A small plane experienced a harrowing emergency landing in Victoria, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon after completely running out of fuel, forcing the pilot to make a dramatic and potentially life-saving descent onto the feeder road of Zac Lentz Parkway.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the twin-engine Piper PA-31 made an emergency landing around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. The plan made it's landing just feet away from a local high school, ultimately crash-landed striking multiple vehicles at the intersection after the pilot's fuel tanks were completely depleted.

“Preliminary information indicates the plane landed on a roadway and struck multiple vehicles," the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement.

 

In the aftermath of the incident, three of the four patients involved have been released from medical care, including the pilot. One patient remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition at an out-of-town medical facility.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. Victoria Police Department, FAA, and NTSB are all diligently working to clear the crash site. The Texas Department of Public Safety is also participating in the ongoing investigation.

Investigators are working to determine the precise circumstances that led to the fuel exhaustion and the subsequent emergency landing, which occurred during peak traffic hours near a local high school.

Expect traffic to be restricted in the area for the next couple of days as the investigation continues. Victoria Police Department has posted a few key points for traffic.

• Mockingbird Lane and Zac Lentz Parkway feeder road intersection will be closed.
• Victoria East High School campus will only be accessible from Mockingbird Lane through John Stockbauer.