Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed a plane crash near Hicks Airfield, just off Business 287 in Tarrant County, left two people dead.
The crash happened in the 12700 block of North Saginaw Boulevard, near Avondale around 1:30 p.m. Multiple semi-trucks were on fire at the time of the crash.
Two individuals were pronounced deceased on scene. The plane was a King Air Twin Engine Aircraft that had departed Alliance Airport. At least ten tractor trailers were damaged by the crash after catching fire, which also sparked grass fires that were all contained. The fire was brought under control in 35 minutes at 2:11 p.m.
Ten FWFD firetrucks were dispatched alongside 14 support vehicles and three ambulances. After the fire was brought under control, FWFD transferred command to Tarrant County Fire.
The FAA and NTSB are on scene to assist in the investigation.
Responding fire department agencies included Tarrant County Fire Department, Tarrant County Fire Marshall, Haslet FD, Lake Worth FD, Saginaw FD, Newark FD, Eagle Mountain FD, and Blue Mound FD.
Business 287 was shut down for both north and southbound traffic in the area. Motorists are urged to use different routes and avoid the area.
Officials have not released information on how many people were aboard.
Theresa Brown was in her home across the street when she heard a loud boom and ran outside. She started recording as people ran towards the fire trying to help.
“I hope it was quick. I mean that just… those poor people, I don’t know what else to say,” Brown said. “We’ve seen fires up close, but that was them. I think there’s like 14 fire trucks out here, and it took them forever to hook up. And it’s like you just didn’t think there’s going to be enough water. Seriously, that’s how bad it looked.”
Brown started to run away after hearing more booms from the crash. “Why? Because there was, there’s nothing you can do when it’s like that serious. You’re wasting your time running at it,” she said. “We hear a total of four booms. Then they come running back, because it’s like there’s nothing you could do. You knew nobody survived that.”
Hady Aghili owns the Five Points Business Park when he received an unexpected call. “They were telling me that there was a small plane crash right into our property. And I thought the beginning was a joke. I was watching a Cowboys game, but, you know, he actually first texted me, then he called me, said, Hey, you know, I’m serious, get out there.”
He quickly drove to his business and waited. Eventually, he saw the flames had missed his business by yards. “I mean, I was wishing for the best. I was hoping, first of all, you don’t want to have any casualties. And second, you know, I mean, loss of property can always be replaced, but not the lives.”
Hicks Airfield (T67) is located north of Fort Worth in unincorporated Tarrant County, Texas, and is a private member-owned airfield.
