http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/planecrash_641.mp3
Four people are dead after a small plane crashed just off the main drag in Branson shortly after taking off from Point Lookout at 12:30 today. It was headed for Lubbock, Texas. The two-engine Piper-Seneca crashed into a storage facility located just off Branson's popular entertainment strip, Missouri 76. The plane was a six passenger but only four people were on board, a pilot and three passengers. This afternoon, KSMU's Missy Shelton spoke with Jerry Adams, public information director for the city of Branson...He was at the site of the plane crash.
Shelton: What is it like now?
Adams: Very heavy smoke. There was damage to about 12 rental storage units which are located just southwest of the intersection of Highway 76 and 165. The plane crashed directly into a storage building. The storage building as well as the contents are destroyed. Very thick smoke coming from the scene right now. There is the tail section of the plane laying to the side of one of the storage units.
Shelton: Is it true that no one was injured on the ground?
Adams: No one was injured on the ground. The storage units even though they are in the city of Branson are kind of isolated, set down in a valley and they are not close to any of the theatres or attractions. So no one injured on the ground and that was very fortunate.
Shelton: We understand that the pilot had radioed the tower at Springfield Branson National Airport. Is that correct?
Adams: What we heard is that he had refueled at College of the Ozarks which is now the Taney County Airport. He had taken off and was headed south when he reported plane problems. He attempted to turn around and return to the airport, the Taney County Airport. He banked to the right. According to witnesses, they just saw him coming down at a 45 degree angle. He slammed into the storage unit. They didn't see any type of flames or fire on the plane. It just descended rather quickly. One of the witnesses said they saw the wings wobbling as it was descending but that was only from one witness. A highway patrolman who was traveling in Hollister saw the plane just drop down through the clouds at about a 45 degree angle.
Shelton: Thank you so much for calling us. I've been speaking with Jerry Adams, public information director for the city of Branson. He's been at the crash site this afternoon where a twin engine Piper Seneca crashed into a storage facility that was located just off of Missouri 76. Four people who were on board the plane died in the crash.