Five people were killed in a plane crash in Wimberley, Texas, on Thursday night, officials confirmed. The crash occurred around 11:00 p.m. local time, with first responders discovering the wreckage of a Cessna 421C near the 200 block of Round Rock Road, roughly 30 miles southwest of Austin. The aircraft was destroyed in a post-impact fire, and all five passengers on board were pronounced dead. Their identities have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Preliminary Findings
Preliminary information indicates the plane was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of impact, according to Hayes County Judge Ruben Becerra. Investigators ruled out a midair collision, and no other aircraft were involved. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. Flight data obtained by ABC News shows the plane departed from Amarillo, Texas, approximately 420 miles northwest of the crash site, and was airborne for nearly two hours before the incident.
Community Impact
Stacey Rohr, a resident near the crash site, described the impact as feeling like an earthquake. The crash rattled the neighborhood, and local authorities are working to determine the cause. A second plane in the area landed safely at the New Braunfels airport, according to reports.
Ongoing Investigation
The NTSB has dispatched an investigator to the scene, and further details are expected as the investigation progresses. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, and no additional information has been released regarding the passengers or the flight's intended destination.