Man dies in Lubbock plane crash

Associated Press

LUBBOCK — One man is dead after the small aircraft in which he was flying crashed into a TV tower while approaching an airport in West Texas.

Lubbock Fire Department Division Chief Steve Holland said the area surrounding the KCBD-TV tower in southeastern Lubbock was still being searched Wednesday night.

The search is beign continued to make sure there were no others dead.

The Federal Aviation Administration reports a single-engine Piper PA-46 crashed into the 814- foot tower.

The plane was approaching Preston Smith International Airport on a flight from Carlsbad, New Mexico.

FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the aircraft dropped off radar screens around 7:30 p.m.

The crash knocked the station off the air and cut power to the surrounding neighborhood. KCBD anchor and reporter Karin McCay said the tower was cut in half.

No personnel were injured.