Beltway 8 Plane Crash Kills 3 Passengers
All Lanes Of Traffic Remain Closed On Toll Road Near Crash Site
Officials said the Gulfstream jet, carrying three passengers, crashed at about 6:30 a.m. between South Wayside and Cullen, just south of Highway 288.
Houston Fire Department District Chief Jack Williams said the twin-engine Gulfstream jet, arriving from Dallas Love Field, apparently clipped a tall light tower at a Beltway 8 toll plaza, shearing off a wing. He said the severed wing rests near the base of the tower.
Williams said firefighters found a trail of debris stretching about a thousand feet from the light tower into a field north of the toll road.
No other injuries have been reported.
Houston Airport System spokesman Roger Smith said the jet, which can carry up to 12 passengers, was approaching runway 4 at Hobby Airport when it went down.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Roland Herwig said Jet Place Incorporated of Tulsa, Okla., is the registered owner of the Gulfstream G-1159-A.
Tollway traffic has been diverted onto feeder roads and side streets. Westbound traffic has been shut down at Wayside while eastbound traffic has been closed at Cullen.
Drivers are being encouraged to find an alternative route around the area.
Officials with the Houston police and fire departments, and Harris County Precinct 7 emergency crews have been called to the scene.
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