Pilot killed in plane crash near Huntsville identified

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Authorities said they found the body of the male pilot of a plane that crashed on Tuesday.

The pilot has been identified, but since his family has not been identified, we are not releasing it at this time.

The information was released shortly after authorities said finding survivors of the small airplane that had crashed into a pond near Huntsville "would be a miracle."

The Federal Aviation Administration said the twin-engine Cessna 421 crashed about 10:40 a.m. in a rural area of Walker County, about 60 miles north of Houston. The crash happened after the pilot reported engine-related trouble and a possible fire, officials said.

VIDEO: Sky 2 over plane crash near Huntsville

Huntsville police said a witness told them the plane was flying low, hit some trees, caught fire and crashed into a body of water believed to be a pond.

Emergency personnel rushed to the scene, where the plane was spotted upside-down in the water.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials said it was unclear how many were aboard, and that divers are still searching the crash site for any survivors.

FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford says officials believe the plane, which records show is capable of carrying at least six people, was flying from Conroe to College Station. Lunsford had no immediate information on the fate of those on board.

Sky 2 showed the charred plane upside down and on fire in the water in Walker County. Firefighters and a dive crew are on the scene.

Lunsford said Faulkner had reported oil problems and a possible engine fire before the crash.

Further details weren't immediately available.

Stay with KPRC 2 and Click2Houston.com for the latest on this developing story.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The name of the pilot was initially released by DPS. So we published this article with his name, but DPS has since asked us to remove it while they attempted to notify family members.

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