Two men are dead after a single engine airplane crashed into the Trinity River on Saturday evening, reports CBS affiliate KHOU.
According to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the men were identified as 26-year-old Patrick Joseph Falterman from Cleveland, Texas who piloted the airplane. He was accompanied by his friend, 25-year-old Zach Esters who was visiting from Louisiana.
Authorities say the airplane stalled before it crashed in the river about a quarter mile from Highway 105.
Deputies along with other first responders and volunteer fire departments rushed to the site of the crash. When they arrived, they found the plane upside down in the river.
Witnesses said they saw the plane flying rather low before it went nose first into the river around 7 p.m. They say that the airplane was attempting “stunts” and the engine stalled when trying a backward “loop,” causing the airplane to roll over and strike the water.
An official from the FAA conducted the preliminary investigation and an autopsy has been ordered.
The airplane will be moved from the river at a later date.
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