BROOKSHIRE, Texas – An investigation is underway after an aircraft with 21 people on board ran off a runway Tuesday in a field near an airport in Brookshire, injuring one person, authorities said.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-87 rolled through a fence and caught fire in a field while attempting to depart from Houston Executive Airport in Brookshire near Katy, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
All 21 people aboard -- 18 passengers and three crew members -- evacuated safely. Officials said two people were transported from the scene.
“Anytime you have a plane that doesn’t make a landing on the runway like it’s supposed to, we’re always expecting the worst and hoping for the best, and today, we absolutely, positively got the best outcome we could hope for,” said Tim Gibson, Emergency Service District Director for Waller-Harris Emergency Service District 200.
Authorities said it took substantial effort to extinguish the blaze.
Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said he believed the plane was chartered to Boston for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. The Houston Astros are scheduled to play against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park later today.
The crash cut power to 1,806 homes in the area. CenterPoint Energy utility crews restored power to all but 17 customers as of noon. Crews remain on site making repairs.
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The plane is registered to 987 Investments, LLC, according to FAA records. State records show J. Alan Kent owns that LLC. When the crash occurred, the aircraft, built in 1987, was on the market and boasted a listing price of $3,950,000. The listing indicates the plane seated 19.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash. The FAA will assist in the investigation.
PHOTOS: Sky 2 aerials over Brookshire plane crash