Two die in small plane crash while sightseeing Texas wildfire

Two die in small plane crash while sightseeing Texas wildfire

2011-04-19 05:55:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) -- Two U.S. Air Force lieutenants were killed on Sunday afternoon when their small plane crashed in western Texas while sightseeing wildfires there, federal officials said on Monday.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the fixed wing single-engine Christen Eagle II aircraft had departed sometime Sunday afternoon to survey damage from wildfires in western Texas, which has destroyed thousands of acres.

"The wreckage was discovered some distance from the fires this afternoon," Lunsford said, adding the wreckage was found about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of San Angelo. "Law enforcement confirmed that neither of the two occupants survived the crash."

Both of the victims are believed to be U.S. Air Force lieutenants who were on a private pleasure flight, Lunsford added.

According to federal records, the 1982-build plane was registered to John T. Rice of Maddock, North Dakota, although it was not immediately known if Rice was aboard the aircraft. The records said the plane was amateur built.

Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the accident.

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