A plane crashed Wednesday morning near a community airstrip in Fort Worth, sending the single-engine aircraft up in flames.
John Wing, manager of Hicks Airfield, confirmed the crash to The Dallas Morning News, but said he could not provide additional information as the pilot’s family had not yet been notified.
On Facebook, Fort Worth city council member Carlos Flores said emergency crews were investigating on scene, and urged drivers to avoid West Bonds Ranch Road between Willow Springs Road and Saginaw Main.
A spokesperson for the Pilot Rise flight school in Tarrant County said while none of their students or instructors were involved in the accident, they were praying for everyone involved.
“Aviation is a close community,” the post said. “Moments like this remind us why safety demands our attention and care on every flight.”
That rang true for Axel Maldonado, who lives in Saginaw about two to three miles from Hicks Airfield. While Maldonado was watching a plume of black smoke rise, he said a friend reported his flight instructor had witnessed a crash.
“I figured it was either a plane or helicopter,” Maldonado told The News. “And then somebody posted a picture of a plane engulfed in flames.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Staff writer Elissa Jorgensen contributed to this report.