In a tragic incident on Tuesday morning, a small aircraft crashed into a residential area in North Odessa, leaving two people dead and one injured. The Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis confirmed the incident in a press conference, stating that the crash occurred around 7 a.m.

Odessa Fire Rescue quickly responded to the scene on Alderfer Avenue, dispatching multiple units to combat the heavy smoke and flames engulfing several mobile homes and shop buildings. The intensity of the crash resulted in significant damage to nearby power lines, with a local business, Dewey Breakfast Shop, also affected.

Oncor, the utility provider, reported that less than 400 structures in the surrounding area were left without power as a result of the crash. The Ector County Youth Center, located just half a mile from the crash site, experienced partial power outage, while the Alternative Education Center reported a complete loss of power, resulting in the relocation of the affected students to Wilson and Young Middle School.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the small aircraft had taken off from Schlemeyer before colliding with power lines and crashing into an alleyway between Stevenson Avenue and Alderfer Avenue. The National Transportation Safety Board identified the aircraft as a single-pilot Cessna Citation 550.

The identities of those onboard the aircraft have not yet been disclosed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, as authorities work to determine the factors that led to this tragic accident.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze approximately an hour after their arrival, but the devastation left by the crash is evident. In response to the incident, the local American Red Cross has established a temporary evacuation shelter for those affected. Tracy Austin, the Executive Director of the chapter, has urged individuals seeking assistance to visit the chapter office on Tanglewood Lane or contact her directly for further information.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, officials are coordinating efforts to provide support and aid to those affected by the crash. The investigation will continue to uncover answers and shed light on what caused this tragic accident in North Odessa.