Thursday, July 13, 2017

Piper PA-31T1 Cheyenne I, registered to and operated by T-210 Holdings LLC under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight, N47GW: Fatal accident occurred July 13, 2017 near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (KTYR), Smith County, Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Dallas, Texas
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida 
Pratt & Whitney; Quebec

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N47GW 

Location: Tyler, TX
Accident Number: CEN17FA266
Date & Time: 07/13/2017, 0810 CDT
Registration: N47GW
Aircraft: PIPER PA31T
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business 

On July 13, 2017, about 0810 central daylight time, a Piper, PA-31T airplane, N47GW, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), Tyler, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by T-210 Holdings, LLC, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Midland Airpark (MDD), Midland, Texas.

The tower controller stated that, after the airplane was cleared for takeoff from runway 17, it appeared to have a shallower-than-normal climb. The controller then saw the airplane bank left, before descending and impacting terrain off airport property. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 62
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/17/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 17590 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane. He held type ratings for Boeing 737 and Falcon 10 airplanes. He also held a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. His Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate was issued on January 17, 2017, with the limitation that he, must wear corrective lenses. At the time of the medical exam, the pilot reported 17,590 total flight hours and 120 hours in the previous six months.

The operator reported that the pilot routinely flew to MDD, that he also flew a business jet, and that this was first solo flight since receiving a checkout in the accident airplane. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N47GW
Model/Series: PA31T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 31T-8104030
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/17/2017, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 5685.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: P&W CANADA
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-60A
Registered Owner: T-210 HOLDINGS LLC
Rated Power: 1127 hp
Operator: T-210 HOLDINGS LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The accident airplane was a Piper Cheyenne, PA-31T, which is a low-wing, twin-engine airplane, with retractable, conventional landing gear, powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT-6A turboprop engines and Hartzell full-feathering propellers.

The airplane was on a progressive maintenance inspection program. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed an "event one" inspection was completed on March 17, 2017. The left engine's power section was disassembled due to metal in the oil and was repaired under a work order , on March 2, 2017, at 5,698.9 hours total time. The right engine's power section was also found to have metal in the oil and was repaired on March 2, 2017, at 5,609.5 hours total time and 2,888.0 hours since overhaul.

The airplane was filled with 245 gallons of Jet-A fuel, before departure.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Visual Conditions:  
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTYR
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0753 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 120°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Tyler, TX (KTYR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Midland Airpark, TX (KMDD)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time:  CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

At 0753, the automated weather observation station (AWOS) located at TYR, recorded: wind from 120° at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 79° F, dew point 74° F, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of mercury. 

Airport Information

Airport: Tyler-Pounds Regional (KTYR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 544 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4849 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

TYR) is a publicly owned, open to the public, tower-controlled airport, located 3 miles west of Tyler, Texas. TYR has three asphalt runways: Runway 17/35, is 4,849 ft by 150 ft. The airport is at an elevation of 544.1 ft. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.344167, -95.405833 

The on-site examination of the wreckage and ground scars revealed the airplane impacted the bank of a small pond about 1/2 mile from the end of runway 17. There was not a post-crash fire and fuel was present at the site. The airplane came to rest on its right side, on the edge of the pond; the front of the cabin displayed heavy impact damage. Both wings separated from the fuselage; the right wing was in the pond and just beyond the main wreckage, and the left wing was located under the main wreckage. The right engine separated from the nacelle and was located beside the right side of the wreckage; the four-bladed propeller remained attached to the engine. The left engine came to rest in front of the wreckage and its propeller was separated at the propeller shaft.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility, for further examination. by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge and technical representatives from the engine and airframe manufacturers.

The left wing displayed substantial impact damage. The outboard 1/3 of the wing was impact-separated from the inboard portion. The aileron and outboard half of the flap were also impact-separated. The aileron control cable was secure to the bell crank and continuous to the wing root area. The balance cable was secure to the bell crank and continuous to the center fuselage area where it displayed an overload separation. The flap actuator showed about 1/2 thread, consistent with a retracted position.

The left main landing gear was retracted. The left fuel valve was found in the open position. The cross-feed valve was found in the off position.

The right wing was largely intact with both the aileron and flap in place. The aileron control cable was secure to the bellcrank and continuous to the wing root area where it had been cut for transport. The balance cable was secure to the bellcrank and continuous to the left side of the middle attach fitting, where it was overload separated.

The right main landing gear was retracted in the wheel well but not secured by the up-lock. The flap actuator displayed about 1/2 thread, consistent with a retracted position. The aileron trim drum inner shaft aft extension was about 1/2 thread, consistent with a tab position of full up about 15°.

The right fuel valve was found in the open position.

The horizontal stabilizer and elevator displayed substantial impact damage and were separated for transport. The elevator control cables were secure to the elevator bellcrank and continuous to the elevator sector in the cockpit. The elevator trim drum displayed 3 threads aft extension of the inner shaft consistent with a setting of about 3° degrees trailing edge down, (nose up), pitch trim.

The rudder was secure and free to move through full travel. The rudder cables had been cut for recovery transport forward of the rudder sector but were continuous to the forward cockpit. The rudder trim drum inner shaft forward extension had about 9.5 threads showing, consistent with a neutral setting.

The fuselage had substantial impact damage to the nose and cockpit areas. The engine control levers were found in the forward positions. The rudder trim was set at the neutral position. The landing gear lever was in the retracted position. The flap lever was in the full up (retracted) position. Both handles were broken from the pilot's control wheel.

The fuel controls were both in the "ON" position and the cross feed was in the "OFF" position and corresponded to the positions at the fuel valves.

No airframe anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation.

Left Engine

The left engine's four-bladed propeller shaft had fractured, separating the propeller from the engine. The blades exhibited twisting, polishing, and bend signatures.

The exhaust duct displayed compressional bending and was torn from impact with terrain. The left exhaust stack was impact separated from the exhaust duct. The gas generator case displayed compressional bending.

The engine was separated at the "C" flange to expose the hot section components. The downstream face of the compressor turbine disc and blades exhibited rotational scoring from contact with the power turbine vane. The upstream side of the compressor turbine blades displayed rotational scoring from contact with the compressor turbine vane. The power turbine vane and baffle exhibited rubs on the upstream side from contact with the compressor turbine disc. The downstream side of the vane and the baffle exhibited rotational scoring from contact with the power turbine disc. The power turbine disc and blades exhibited rotational scoring on the upstream and downstream sides from contact with the adjacent static components.

Several first stage compressor blades exhibited impact damage.

Right Engine

The right engine's four-bladed propeller remained attached to the propeller shaft. The blades exhibited varying degrees of bends.

The exhaust duct displayed compressional bending due to impact with the terrain. The left exhaust stack was bent and distorted. The gas generator case displayed compressional bending. The inlet case struts were all fractured.

The engine was separated at the "C" flange to expose the hot section components. The downstream face of the compressor turbine disc and blades exhibited rotational scoring from contact with its respective adjacent static components. The upstream face of the compressor turbine disc and blades were unremarkable. The power turbine vane and baffle exhibited rubbing on the upstream side from contact with compressor turbine disc. The downstream side vane and baffle exhibited static impact marks from contact with the power turbine disc and blades. The power turbine disc and blades exhibited impact marks on the upstream and downstream side from contact with the adjacent static components. Several blades were fractured and displaced forward in the disc fixings.

The accessory gearbox was manually rotated by hand, and mechanical continuity was established through the gears.

The wire bundles on the engines were in poor condition, with bare metal showing in some sections.

Several components were removed from the right engine and shipped to P&W Canada for testing under the observation and guidance of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. The fuel control unit, the fuel pump, propeller governor, and over-speed governor were tested and disassembled.

Testing of the fuel pump indicated that the pump performance was satisfactory. Observations recorded during testing of the overspeed governor indicated that the speed pick-up voltage was below the test point minimum limit;. however, the tests on the components did not identify any abnormalities that would have explained a loss of engine power. 

Medical And Pathological Information

The office of The Forensic Medical of Texas, P.A., Tyler, Texas, conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was determined to be "blunt impact injures."

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The specimens were not tested for cyanide and carbon monoxide. The test was positive for fexofenadine and azacyclonol.

Fexofenadine is a non-sedating antihistamine and is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, and is available as a prescription and over-the-counter medication. It is not considered impairing. Azacyclonol is a metabolite of fexofenadine.

NTSB Identification: CEN17FA266
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 13, 2017 in Tyler, TX
Aircraft: PIPER PA 31T1, registration: N47GW
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On July13, 2017 about 0810 central daylight time, a Piper Cheyenne, PA-31T airplane, N47GW, impacted terrain near Tyler, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and sole passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by T-210 Holdings, LLC, Dover, Delaware under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane was an instrument flight plan. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was enroute to Midland, Texas.

Preliminary information indicates that shortly after departure, the airplane descended into terrain. 

The on-site examination of the wreckage revealed the airplane impacted an open field surrounded by trees. The wreckage was located on the edge of a small pond about one-half mile from the end of runway 17. There was not a post-crash fire; however, fuel was found at the site.

After the initial on-site documentation of the wreckage, the airplane was recovered to a secure facility, for further examination.


William "Bobby" Robert Walls III
December 3, 1954 - July 13, 2017

Bobby Walls, 62, of Huntsville, Texas went to be with the Lord suddenly on Thursday, July 13, 2017 following a tragic plane accident. He was born a beautiful baby boy to Bob and Yvonne Walls in San Antonio, Texas on December 3, 1954. Shortly thereafter his family moved to Conroe, Texas where he grew up and resided for many years. Bobby graduated Conroe High School, class of 1973. During his time there he played football, basketball, and numerous other sports. After graduation, he went on to play football for Baylor University. After his sophomore year, he decided "I don't want to be a teacher or a preacher...I want to fly." He made the transition to the Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he graduated flight and aircraft mechanics school with outstanding academic performance. After flight school he joined Southwest Airlines where he had a successful career as a commercial pilot for 23 years. In 2006, Bobby married the love of his life, Sonja Adams, and moved to Huntsville, Texas with their 4 children. In 2011, Bobby retired from Southwest to spend more time with his family and serve his community. Anybody that knew Bobby knows that his true passions in life were his Lord, his family, his community, and his church. He surrounded himself with them daily. Bobby truly had a heart for the Lord and the community, serving on everything from the Houston Livestock Show Committee and the Alpha Omega School board, to being the head soccer coach. He was instrumental in the future opening of The Ark Church of Huntsville in August. He returned to his lifelong passion of flying in 2014 as a charter pilot, where he flew executive jets and turboprop aircraft. He touched many lives during his life and will not be forgotten.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sonja Walls and their 3 children, Trevor, Sasha, and Parker Adams; his 2 sons, Tre' Walls and William Walls IV; his parents, Bob and Yvonne Walls (Hetton); his 2 sisters and brother, Susan (and Eddie) Turner, Tammy (and Randy) Speck, and Jimmy (and Janet) Walls; his 7 nephews: Chris, Robert, Ben and Andrew Turner, Michael and Jeff Speck and Cody Walls; and numerous other extended family members.

There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony held this Friday, July 21, 2017 at 1 PM at The Ark Church of Conroe, Texas. The service will be officiated by Luke Cunningham, future pastor of The Ark Church-Huntsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to fulfill Bobby's dreams by contributing to the Bobby Walls Memorial Scholarship Fund for Alpha Omega Academy at P.O. Box 8419 Huntsville, TX 77340 or to The Ark Church-Huntsville at 3011 Hwy 30 West Suite 101, #106 Huntsville, TX 77340

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
-Galatians 5:22-23


Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Trevor Morris

A celebration of the Life of Trevor Morris 39, Murchison will be held Tuesday July 18, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at Rock Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Buddy Johnson and Bro. Eric Johnson officiating.

Private interment will follow at Morris Cemetery, China Grove, Texas.

Trevor was born September 24, 1977 to parents Calvin and Diana Morris in Tyler, Texas. He graduated from North Garland High School where he excelled in sports and other activities. After high school Trevor served his country in the United States Marine Corps during which time he earned a rank of sergeant and received several medals for his steadfast and distinguished service. His fellow Marines remember his as "the best Marine they ever knew". He gave his all to everything he did, which extended to his professional and ministerial life. Trevor's service to Christ in the Gospel ministry began when God called him to preach in the year 2000 and continued till the day God called him home. After pastoring in the United States, he followed the Lord in foreign missionary service to the country of Ecuador, where God used him to begin a church in the city of Cuenca in the mountains of Ecuador. After returning from Ecuador he worked as general manager and later vice-president of Burton Oil Service Operations. Most recently he served as Pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro, Texas where he is dearly loved and remembered. He was most passionate for the glory of God, the work of missions and his precious family.

Trevor is survived by his wife Nafisa Morris, children; Kylor, Cole, Lane, Cana and Boaz, father and mother; Calvin and Diana Morris, sister; Tiffany Shelby and her husband Ryan, grandmother; Frances Smith Cantrell, many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins, his beloved church family of Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro and a host of friends.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Shelby, Preston Burton, Joshua Salinas, Steve Goodrich, Teddy Austin, Bill Wallace, Eric Johnson and Buddy Johnson.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday evening at Rock Hill Baptist Church for 5-7 P.M. 

At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Baptist Missionary Association Department of Missions 611 Locus Street Conway, Arkansas 72034 or at BMAMISSIONS.ORG.

If you would like to leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family you may do so at www.carroll-lehr.com.



Bobby Walls

Trevor Morris

Bobby Walls and family


Trevor Morris






TYLER, TX (KLTV) -  Officials have released the identity of the pilot in a fatal plane crash Thursday morning.

William Robert Walls III, 62, of Huntsville, and Trevor Morris, 39, of Murchison were killed when the plane they were in crashed shortly after take-off from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The Texas Department of Public Safety released the identity of the men Friday morning.

City officials say the Piper PA-31, private twin-engine plane, went down after 8 a.m., Thursday. 

According to Preston Burton, President of Burton Oil Service Operations, and part owner of the plane, Walls was piloting the plane that was carrying Morris, the Vice President of Burton Oil Services, to Midland. 

Walls was a member of The Ark Church in Conroe. KLTV reached out to members of the church for comment. Out of respect for the family, they declined to comment Thursday but said he was a beloved member. 

Walls was a retired Southwest Airlines pilot.

Sgt. Jean Dark, Public Information Officer for DPS says the crash remains under investigation by officials from the NTSB and the FAA. 

NTSB says the plane will be moved sometime Friday afternoon.

A prayer vigil will be held tonight at Rock Hill Baptist Church at 7 p.m. for both Walls and Morris.  The church is located at 20022 SH 31 East in Brownsboro.

http://www.telemundoamarillo.com









TYLER, Texas (KETK) - Two people are confirmed dead following a plane crash Thursday morning near the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

According to friends and family, the pilot of the plane was retired Southwest Airlines pilot, Bobby Walls, 62, of Huntsville. According to his Facebook page, he worked for the airline for 23 years. Walls is a 1977 graduate of Baylor University.

The passenger in the plane crash has been identified as 39-year-old Trevor Morris, Pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. The other victim has not been formally identified at this time.

Morris was the lead Pastor at the church, having previously served as a missionary in Ecuador. He was also a husband and father of five.

Morris' LinkedIn page also says he is the General Manager at Burton Oil Service Operations in Tyler.

First Responders located private twin-engine plane was located after it went down near the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, shortly after 8:00 a.m. According to the FAA, the plane is a 1981 Piper PA-31. It is registered to a T-210 Holdings in Dover, Delaware. 

City officials tell KETK the plane originally left from Tyler Thursday morning. The aircraft was headed to Midland, Texas.

The Tyler Police Department, Tyler and Dixie Fire Departments, Smith County Sheriff's Office and Smith County Emergency Services District all assisted in the search. ETMC Air 1 was also called in to help Tyler Fire with rescue efforts.

Witnesses describe the pandemonium during the crash.

"I heard the engine rev up," Fred Wuolschleger said. "The RPMs, which they normally do when they take off, and all of a sudden...Nothing. When the RPM dropped, that's when I heard the boom."

The Texas Department of Public Safety has taken over the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration is also sending a crew to assess the wreckage.

The City of Tyler's Realtime Flight Information shows departures from the airport were not affected by the crash.

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport manager Davis Dickson said they prepare for emergency situations like this.

"There's a system we have in the airport where they can alert all the airport staff, police and fire immediately through our cell phones and we go into response mode, depending on the alert level in a crash scene, which would be an alert three," Dickson said.


http://www.easttexasmatters.com


Trevor Morris, standing in center, is surrounded by members of his family. Morris died in a plane crash July 13th in Tyler, Texas


Two people died Thursday when a plane went down shortly after take off from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

One of the deceased, Trevor Morris, was the pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro.

Morris was a passenger on the small twin-engine plane that went down about 8:15 a.m. in a pasture near the airport. The plane was headed to Midland.

Morris was the vice president for Burton Oil Services Operations based out of Tyler. The company traveled to Midland frequently for business.

Morris' family and church was notified early Thursday of the crash.

Aaron Greenwood, music and worship pastor of UHBC, said the family and church was mourning the loss of their beloved leader.

Morris is the son of Calvin and Diana Morris of Brownsboro. Diana is a longtime teacher with Brownsboro Elementary School.

Morris is survived by his wife Nafisa, his four sons and one daughter. The family called Murchison home after previously spending time as a missionary in Ecuador.

According to reports, the pilot was also killed in the crash. The pilot's name has not been released.

The plane was located a mile south of Pleasant Retreat Road by officers searching the area after reports of the aircraft going down. The Tyler Police Department said the wreckage was difficult to locate because there was no smoke or flames coming from the crash site.

Tyler Police Department spokesman Don Martin said first responders worked to extract the plane's occupants amid heavy fumes of gasoline around the plane.

The crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration to determine what caused the plane to go down.


http://www.athensreview.com

One of the two people who died in a plane crash near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport early Thursday was an East Texas pastor, according to an official with his church. 

Trevor Morris, lead pastor with Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro, was on board the small twin-engine plane that went down about 8:15 a.m., said Aaron Greenwood, worship pastor for the church. 

Morris' best friend heard about the crash, traveled to the site and confirmed Morris was in the plane, Greenwood said. 

Morris was lead pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church and was a general manager for an oil services company. He traveled to Midland frequently for his job and it was where he was headed when the plane went down, Greenwood said.

He said Morris' family has been notified and the church is also mourning the loss. 

The pilot also was killed when the plane crashed in a pasture near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The pilot's name has not been released. 

The plane was located 1 mile south of Pleasant Retreat Road by officers searching the area after reports of it going down. 

Tyler Police Department Spokesman Don Martin said the wreckage was difficult to locate because there was no smoke or flames coming from crash area.

"Officers went deep into the fields and eventually located the plane in a pasture," Martin said.

First responders worked to extract the plane's occupants amid heavy fumes of gasoline around the plane, Martin said. 

Fred Wullschleger, a witness to the crash, said he was on a morning walk with his dog when he heard the plane take off.

"I heard the plane rev up and then all the sudden it just quit and then boom, that's when he hit the ground," Wullschleger said. 

Emergency crews from agencies including the Tyler Police Department, Tyler Fire Department, Smith County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Public Safety responded after receiving reports of the downed aircraft. 

Air traffic to and from the airport was not affected by the incident. 
TYLER, TX (KLTV) - The plaintiffs in a wrongful death lawsuit are claiming gross negligence caused a Tyler plane crash that killed a pilot and an East Texas pastor.

The lawsuit was filed by Preston Burton on behalf of Pastor Trevor Morris’ estate and surviving family members, including his parents, his widow and five children.

Morris, 39, of Murchison, and pilot William Robert Walls III, 62, of Huntsville, were killed in July 2017 when the plane they were in crashed shortly after takeoff from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

The lawsuit names three East Texas companies as defendants: First AV Group of Henderson County, Flare Air of Rusk County, and East Texas H.S.I. of Smith County, as well the Sonja Lynne Walls on behalf of William Walls’ estate.

The lawsuits seeks a jury trial and damages in excess of $1 million.

According to the lawsuit, the plane’s right engine failed during take-off, forcing Walls to take emergency action. “Walls was beyond the point where he could about the takeoff so he needed to proceed with take off, get the aircraft under control, and land so as to assess the situation,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that under proper procedures a competent pilot would be able to control the plane through takeoff and landing with one engine. But according to the lawsuit, “Walls failed to properly control the aircraft and crashed into a nearby field.”

The lawsuit shows First AV Group and Flare Air hired Walls to pilot the Piper PA-31. It alleges both companies knew Walls was “inexperienced with this aircraft” and “despite this, they approved Walls to pilot the aircraft.”

The lawsuit also claims First AV Group and Flare Air contracted with East Texas H.S.I to provide maintenance and inspections of the plane that crashed.

The lawsuit claims the defendants failed to control the aircraft, failed to react properly to an emergency, failed to properly operate the plane, failed to retain a competent pilot and failed to properly inspect and maintain the plane.

Burton is president of Burton Oil Service Operations and part owner of the plane. Morris was the Vice President of Burton Oil Services. Morris was flying from Tyler to Midland on business at the time of the crash. Morris was a pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro.

Walls was a member of The Ark Church in Conroe and a retired Southwest Airlines pilot.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.kltv.com

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