Houston Man Killed in Small Plane Crash

Pilot had license for only two weeks, had bought his plane the day he was killed

Posted Thu, Oct 27, 2016 at 6:28 am CT

PEARLAND, TX -- The crash of a small plane near the Pearland Regional Airport late Wednesday has claimed the life of a 36-year old man.

The FAA said an experimental category Wittman Tailwind aircraft crashed around 5:30 p.m. on County Road 127 and County Road 124.

According to investigators, Jarod Baxter Ryan, of Houston, was killed when the plane he was piloting crashed as it was taking off.

Ryan, who was a newly licensed pilot, had just purchased the plane that day, and was taking it on its maiden flight.

It is not yet known if the cause of the crash was a mechanical malfunction, or pilot error.

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with the assistance of the FAA.

Image via Shutterstock

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