Plane crash on TX 71 leads to minor injuries for one, traffic diverted
Alexandria Randolph/The Highlander
The pilot of a small aircraft walked away from an emergency landing on TX 71 that left his aircraft in shambles.
A small plane crashed on TX 71 after attempting an emergency landing on the highway after take-off from Horseshoe Bay airport, officials said Thursday afternoon, May 28.
"The plane was occupied by a single pilot carrying no passengers. The pilot survived and was able to exit before the aircraft caught fire," said Rocky Wardlow, assistant Horseshoe Bay police chief, in a statement.
Traffic is being diverted for the next few hours because TX 71 is closed between FM 2147 and U.S. 281, "pending the arrival of FAA investigators," he said.
Eastbound TX 71 traffic is being rerouted to FM 2147 through Horseshoe Bay.
Westbound TX 71 traffic is being redirected to U.S. 281 to FM 2147 or to use U.S. 281 to FM 962.
"According to a witness, shortly after lift-off the plane made an immediate 90 degree turn in an apparent attempt to execute an emergency landing on Hwy 71," said Horseshoe Bay Police Chief Bill Lane in a statement.
Officials declined to disclose the identity of the pilot.
"He was ambulatory and EMS was treating him for what appeared to be relatively minor facial injuries," Lane said.
Texas Troopers, Llano and Burnet County Sheriff Deputies, Horseshoe Bay and Marble Falls Police are on the scene along with Fire and EMS personnel.
Horseshoe Bay residents can expect heavy traffic on FM 2147 the next several hours until the scene is released by the FAA, Wardlow said.
For more on the story, see Tuesday's Highlander.
