Three Dallas police officers were aboard a small plane that crashed early Saturday near Forney, leaving one officer in critical condition, a department spokesperson said.
The single-engine Bellanca Downer 14-19-3 went down about 12:15 a.m. near Sage Hill and Helms Trail, according to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration report and Forney police.
One officer was treated and released, and another was listed in stable condition, Allison Hudson, the police spokesperson, said in a message. The three were off duty at the time of the crash.
Sean Pease, president of the Dallas Police Association, the city’s largest police union, said the officers were returning from a personal trip at the time of the crash.
“Our immediate focus is ensuring these officers and their families receive the support and care they need during this difficult time,” Pease said in a statement. “We ask the community to join us in praying for strength, healing, and a full recovery for everyone involved.”
Forney police also confirmed officers responded to the crash site.
“There was an incident over there off Sage Hill Parkway and Helms Trail,” Forney police spokesperson Michael Clay said. “One was released at scene and two were transported.”
Clay said multiple agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FAA, are expected to lead the investigation into the crash.
No additional details about what caused the plane to go down were immediately available.