Officials Recounting Downed Plane in East Texas [PHOTO]

Harrison County 911 dispatchers received a call from the Shreveport Civil Air patrol at approximately 5 AM regarding a possible airplane crash in Northeastern Harrison County. 

From the Harrison County Sheriff's Department:

CAP officials stated that an emergency locator beacon had been activated somewhere near the Caddo lake National Wildlife refuge and stated they were on the way to the area and asked for assistance from Texas DPS and Harrison County Sheriff's Office.  Upon the CAP dispatching a specialized air search plane, at daylight, containing equipment to pinpoint the location of the beacon, the plane was located.  It was in an area that is close to the intersection of Hwy 43 North and Old Port Caddo Rd. This area is a privately owned densely wooded forest of pine trees and the aircraft was located approximately 400 yards off the roadway.

Texas DPS Troopers reached the scene and found a large transport turboprop aircraft on the ground with the tail section and part of a wing missing. The sole occupant of the aircraft was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Nancy George at approximately 12:30 PM. The scene was secured and the National Transportation Safety Board office in Houston, Texas was notified of the crash. In all matters pertaining to aircraft accidents, the NTSB is the lead agency for investigations. They will take charge of the scene and conduct further investigation. The aircraft was on a flight from DeKalb (Chicago), Illinois to Brownsville, Texas at the time of the crash.

It is presumed to have been caught in a violent thunderstorm that came through the area of Northeastern Harrison County at approximately 4:30 AM on Saturday morning. Searchers are continuing a search to find the missing parts of the aircraft throughout the area.