Three Wichitans killed in Mississippi plane crash
A National Transportation Safety Board team was in Hattiesburg, Miss on Thursday, examining the site of an airplane crash that killed four people, including three Wichitans.
"The NTSB will be on-scene the next several days," said Alex Lemishko, a NTSB senior air safety investigator, during a news conference Thursday. "We will be examining the machines, the environment, the pilot — those sorts of things.
"It's very preliminary to speculate as to the cause right now and the investigation; as far as the NTSB is concerned, there will be a preliminary report published within 15 days," Lemishko said.
A twin-engine plane from Wichita Falls crashed into a house in Hattiesburg, Miss. late Tuesday.
The Forrest County Coroner identified the Wichita Falls victims as:
Dr. Louis Provenza , 67
Harper Provenza, 2
Anna Calhoun, 23
A 55-year-old Hattiesburg man was also killed when the plane crashed into his home. Two others in the house were injured.
University of Southern Mississippi released a statement saying the Wichitans were on their way to attend a family member's graduation when the Mitsubishi twin-engine craft went down. The graduation ceremony that was scheduled for Wednesday was for doctoral students.
Dr. Provenza was a neurological surgeon who practiced at United Regional. Calhoun was a junior at Midwestern State University who was majoring in biology and planned to attend physician assistant school.
United Regional released a statement:
"We are so very saddened about the loss of Dr. Louis Provenza. He has touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people of this community he helped heal."
Provenza received his medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1979 and had practiced medicine for 42 years
Midwestern State also released a statement on the loss of their student:
"The MSU Texas family is deeply saddened to learn of the death of student Anna Calhoun in private plane crash Tuesday night. On behalf of the University, we express our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and classmates during this very difficult time.
News of this tragic loss may be difficult to process and affect many members of our campus community. Anyone in need of support is encouraged to use University resources provided by the Counseling Center. They may be reached at 940-397-4618."
The Hattiesburg American newspaper reported the crash happened shortly after 11 p.m. The newspaper said it was unclear whether the plane had taken off from or was trying to land at nearby Bobby Chain Airport. The paper reported Dr. Provenza was the pilot.
It's not yet known if weather was a factor, but the Hattiesburg area had experienced thunderstorms just prior to the crash and the National Weather Service listed conditions as cloudy at the time the plane went down.
Lici Beveridge, who covered the crash for the Hattiesburg American, said she had spent the earlier part of the day covering severe weather.
The plane took off from Wichita Falls Regional Airport Tuesday. It was a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 twin-engine prop plane that could carry a crew of two and six passengers. The craft was owned by Northshore Group LLC of Wilmington, Del. The planes were manufactured between 1963 and 1986 by Mooney Aircraft of San Angelo under license from Mitsubishi.
The Federal Aviation Administration was called to investigate the cause of the crash.
Lici Beveridge of the Hattiesburg American contributed to this report.