By Gary Bass
RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – An official with the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management has confirmed that an airplane has crashed near the county’s airport.

Michael Searcy with the Rusk County OEM confirmed that a plane crashed near the airport on Saturday afternoon. A press release stated that Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responded to the crash at about 3 p.m. Saturday.
“Preliminary reports indicate the plane lost power just after takeoff from the airport and crashed into the tree line,” the DPS press release stated. “The pilot and his passenger were transported to UT Health – Tyler with minor injuries.”
According to the press release, airport officials and the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified of the crash.
Searcy said the plane is deep in a wooded area.