Plane Crash Kills One in Lubbock

UPDATE: A call to Dr. Kenneth Michael Rice’s office confirmed he was involved in the plane crash.

UPDATE: According to the police report, the plane was owned by Daedalus Air, LLC, which is located in Lubbock. According to Bizapedia, Kenneth Michael Rice was the registered agent on the plane. Vernon C. Farthing is registered as the second principal on the plane. Kenneth Michael Rice, MD, Ph.D., according to the University Medical Center Health System’s Physician Network Services website, specializes in internal medicine.

“Dr. Rice serves as Medical Director of various health care related organizations including nursing homes, hospice programs, and specialty hospitals which include both skilled nursing and long term acute care. He has a distinguished list of accomplishments,” the website said.

Update: According to Lynn Lunsford, mid-states public affairs manager of the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was heading for LIA. The statement said FAA investigators are on their way to the site, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.

Update: A fatality has been confirmed by the public information officer. It is likely the pilot. PIO for Lubbock Fire and Rescue said they are unsure if it was landing at LIA but it was coming from southern New Mexico. Confirmed fatality believed to be the pilot.

KCBD News Channel 11 television station reported first responders received reports of a single-engine plane crash Wednesday around 7:30 p.m. in the 5600 block of Avenue A.

Officer Simpson with the Lubbock Police Department said several first responders are at the scene and thus far, there have not been any injuries, however, they are still searching for the pilot.

Witnesses in the southwest portion of Lubbock witnessed flashing lights followed by an explosion.

Reports said the plane was en route to Preston Smith Lubbock International Airport when it clipped the television news tower.

It is still uncertain about what caused the city-wide power outages, but Simpson said due to the timing of the accident and the power outages, they are likely linked.”

Lucinda Holt and Sarah Self-Walbrick contributed to this report.