Man killed after small plane crashes near Fort Worth airfield, officials say

A man died after officials say a small aircraft crashed near a Tarrant County airfield late Wednesday morning.

CBS News Texas was alerted to a scene near West Bonds Ranch Road and Thatcher Road, located southeast of the Hicks Airfield, around 10 a.m. The Fort Worth Police Department initially confirmed that officers were on scene investigating.

A CBS News Texas photojournalist arrived at the scene to record video and provide on-the-scene details. The small aircraft was seen just off the road and burnt out, while red scene tape was set up to cordon off the area. Power lines were also seen down on the grassy area where the aircraft was spotted.

The FAA confirmed the crash happened around 9:50 a.m. in a statement sent to CBS News Texas, noting only the pilot, later identified as 67-year-old John Unangst, was on board when the crash happened. The NTSB will take charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.  

During a press conference before noon, Fort Worth Fire confirmed the pilot was declared dead at the scene. The department was unsure of the route the aircraft was trying to take, and the crash started a small grass fire that was quickly doused.

Fort Worth Police said Bonds Ranch Road would be shut down for some time, with the closure stretching from Willow Springs Road to Business 287.

A review of the aircraft's tail number in FAA records reveals it is a small Lancair IV-P kit plane built by Amigo Air Enterprises and registered to Plane Metrics LLC of Fort Worth. It was granted a valid certificate in May 2018, set to expire in May 2028. It had a single engine, was a fixed-wing aircraft, and was built in 2000.