It was a bumpy ride back down to earth Thursday morning for frank Leroy Bell and his dual-engine aircraft.
"The front, the leading edges of the wings, and the engines took the biggest hit from the crash. It is in pretty bad shape," says Don Green, Director of Aviation at Abilene Regional.
The Tuscola pilot radioed in that he was about to crash, then radioed in again after crashing, saying he was okay.
"I started walking back that way looking for the plane. The pilot was okay. The plane was in the trees, in relatively good condiction considering the fact that it had crashed," said an APD police officer.
First responders confirmed from Mr. Bell that he had run out of fuel, forcing him to attempt a landing in an open field, near the Hamby Cemetary in Callahan county.
"The pilot did an excellent job bringing the aircraft down. He was just a little short of the field that he was going for. He just lost momentum," explained Green.
Next up comes the task of removing the aircraft from the private property.
"The FAA in Lubbock is on the way and they will conduct an investigation into the crash. They will authorize the aircraft to be moved, probably back to the airport," states Green.
A pilot flying a separate small aircraft was witness to the crash and circled the scene until first responders could arrive.
"The front, the leading edges of the wings, and the engines took the biggest hit from the crash. It is in pretty bad shape," says Don Green, Director of Aviation at Abilene Regional.
The Tuscola pilot radioed in that he was about to crash, then radioed in again after crashing, saying he was okay.
"I started walking back that way looking for the plane. The pilot was okay. The plane was in the trees, in relatively good condiction considering the fact that it had crashed," said an APD police officer.
First responders confirmed from Mr. Bell that he had run out of fuel, forcing him to attempt a landing in an open field, near the Hamby Cemetary in Callahan county.
"The pilot did an excellent job bringing the aircraft down. He was just a little short of the field that he was going for. He just lost momentum," explained Green.
Next up comes the task of removing the aircraft from the private property.
"The FAA in Lubbock is on the way and they will conduct an investigation into the crash. They will authorize the aircraft to be moved, probably back to the airport," states Green.
A pilot flying a separate small aircraft was witness to the crash and circled the scene until first responders could arrive.
