Who is Jeffrey Weiss, the pilot of plane that crashed in Kerrville?

HOUSTON – Six people died Monday in a plane crash on a private ranch in Kerrville, according to officials.

The plane departed from the West Houston Airport and crashed just before 9 a.m. while preparing to land at Kerrville Municipal Airport, which is about 6 miles away from the crash scene.

Officials said all six adults aboard the plane were killed. Here are the people who were killed:

  • Jeffrey Carl Weiss, 65, of Houston (pilot)
  • Stuart Roben Kensinger, 55, of Houston
  • Angela Webb Kensinger, 54, of Houston
  • Mark Damien Scioneaux, 58, of Houston
  • Scott Reagan Miller, 55, of Houston
  • Marc Tellepsen, 45, of Houston

KPRC2 learned the plane is registered to Weiss, a successful Houston businessman and experienced amateur pilot.

Weiss had logged more than 5,000 hours in the air, according to officials.

Officials do not yet know what caused the crash.

Weiss made his living as a personal wealth manager for the Raymond James firm, but his passion was flying and he used his flying skills to help others.

His friend Bob Fuller said he heard about the crash Monday morning from a friend who told him Weiss was at the controls.

"I got a call from a friend of mine who verified ... it was Jeff," Fuller said.

Fuller said Weiss volunteered his time for an array of charities: Providing flights for medical and humanitarian emergencies, for special needs kids, and supported both the Lone Star flight museum and the 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport.

Fuller said Weiss was the best pilot he'd ever seen.

"He's as meticulous a pilot as I've ever known. Exceedingly safe, safety conscious" Fuller said. "If you were a friend and wanted to go from here to the Valley for a weekend hunting trip and called Jeff, 'Any chance you can take me down there?' He'd say, 'Sure, I love to fly, I'll take you.'"

Weiss also helped Fuller put on his Keels and Wheels charity event in Seabrook each year to aid abused children, giving both his time and money.

"I loved the man, I'll tell you that. He was generous to a fault. He wanted to support our charity any way he can and one of those was if I wanted to fly to Detroit to talk to General Motors, 'Call me first.'"

As Fuller mourns his friend, he is anxious to learn more about exactly what happened to the veteran pilot.

"ATC says he lost airspeed, and he was using instrument approach and he went down. I don't know if it was (the) engine. I have no clue," Fuller said.

Raymond James sent a statement to KPRC2 that read, "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Jeffrey Weiss and those taken from loved ones in this tragic event. While we mourn the loss of Jeff, we are also reminded of the many contributions he made and the lives he touched through his passions and work, notably more than two decades as a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight South Central and its mission to provide free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes for people in need. He will be sorely missed. Raymond James continues to gather information and is providing grief support to his colleagues."

VIDEO: Aerials of Kerrville plane crash