# Small Plane Crashes into Building in Austin, TX **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 18, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484 "2010-02-18T16:56:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/1 "2010-02-18T16:56:02Z")
A few buildings are now burning. [Unfolding story.](http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/18/texas.plane.crash/index.html?hpt=T1) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/2 "2010-02-18T16:59:47Z")
When they say “small airplane” I always have to ask “how small”? Because the media would say a 40 passenger commercial plane is a “small plane”, whereas to me a “small plane” would be 6 or fewer seats. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/3 "2010-02-18T17:01:18Z")
I think eye-witnesses said it was a single engine. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/4 "2010-02-18T17:04:21Z")
An eye-witness, who’s a pilot, says it was a Blue & White Cherokee 140. It was flying low, hit the top of a 30’ parking lot lamp above him, then sailed right into the center of the building. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/5 "2010-02-18T17:17:09Z")
Two in as many days: > **[DealBook](https://www.nytimes.com/section/business/dealbook)** > > Making sense of the latest news in finance, markets and policy — and the power brokers behind the headlines. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/6 "2010-02-18T17:36:07Z")
Uh-oh. Looks like there might be a connection between a house fire in Austin about an hour before the crash. The homeowner is a pilot that possibly stole a plane he flew out of Georgetown. His family was inside the house while on fire, and I think their neighbors helped them escape. Possible (intended) murder/suicide? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/7 "2010-02-18T17:42:11Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > An eye-witness, who’s a pilot, says it was a Blue & White Cherokee 140. OK. That’s _definitely_ a small airplane. It’s a 2-seater (unless modified post-purchase). ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/8 "2010-02-18T17:57:59Z")
Quoth CNN: > [@](#): > > “Criminal or terrorist activity” not indicated, Homeland Security spokesman says Er, since when is stealing a plane and crashing it into a building **not** “criminal or terrorist activity”? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/9 "2010-02-18T17:59:53Z")
Ok, the plane was a single-engine Cirrus SR22. So, what… probably a 4-seater? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/10 "2010-02-18T18:01:03Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Quoth CNN: > > Er, since when is stealing a plane and crashing it into a building **not** “criminal or terrorist activity”? I think that was before they were able to make the connection between the house fire and the crash. It’s definitely criminal now. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/11 "2010-02-18T18:05:54Z")
Any idea what building was hit? Or why that detail isn’t in the news broadcasts? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/12 "2010-02-18T18:07:04Z")
They were saying it’s the Echelon 3 Bldg. Apparently the IRS has offices in there as well. Not sure what else is in there. It looks to be an 8-10 story building. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/13 "2010-02-18T18:08:10Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Any idea what building was hit? > > Or why that detail isn’t in the news broadcasts? [Link](http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/6873108.html): > [@](#): > > The structure that was hit houses private firms and government offices, including the Internal Revenue Services’ criminal investigation unit. The FBI is not a tenant, contrary to some initial reports. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/14 "2010-02-18T18:11:42Z")
IRS Criminal Investigation Department was in the building. Not sure if their offices were actually hit by the plane. [Cite](http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/6873108.html) (in the 4th paragraph). Or you could just read Ferret Herder’s account above. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/15 "2010-02-18T18:12:40Z")
My sister works there! She is at HMG Engineering which is [Yahoo Search - Web Search](http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=70%2BNe%2BLoop%2B410%2070%20N.E.%20LOOP%20410%20San%20Antonio%2C%20TX%2078216-5849&mag=2&lat=&lon=&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=29.519907&lon=-98.48909&mag=2&zoom=14&q1=70%20Ne%20Loop%20410%2070%20N.E.%20LOOP%20410%20San%20Antonio%2C%20TX%2078216-5849) I’m not sure if it is this building or another one close by. There are several in that area! ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/16 "2010-02-18T18:17:19Z")
I interviewed in that very building, many years ago. Yikes! A lot of people are theorizing that he did it because there was an IRS office there. I didn’t know that- personally, if I were him, I would’ve gone for the main IRS building on south I35. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/17 "2010-02-18T18:17:22Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Ok, the plane was a single-engine Cirrus SR22. So, what… probably a 4-seater? Yep, that’s a 4 seat. Although I think it’s lighter in weight, it’s capable of higher speeds so the total force of impact might be higher with a Cirrus than a PA-140. The Cirrus also comes standard with a ballistic recovery parachute, which in an emergency can be launched through the skin of the airplane to deploy it - this uses a small explosive charge which, unfortunately, tends to go off with heavy impact+fire, and which may account in part for how briskly and hot the resulting fire was. Then again, both types of airplane can carry a considerable amount of gasoline, which also burns quite well when ignited. Combine with paperwork and office furniture and the fire department is definitely needed. I think by “not connected to terrorist or criminal activity” they mean _organized groups_ of bad guys, not some lone kook with suicidal inclinations. Between the house fire, stealing the plane, and the kamikaze run I’m inclined to think there are some sort of personal problem(s) at work. With the IRS offices in the building I’m wondering about financial troubles and hatred of taxes… but who knows at this point if the nutball was actually targeting those people or just picked the building on a whim? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/18 "2010-02-18T18:21:35Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > My sister works there! She is at HMG Engineering which is [http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=70%2BNe%2BLoop%2B410%2070%20N.E.%20LOOP%20410%20San%20Antonio%2C%20TX%2078216-5849&mag=2&lat=&lon=&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=29.519907&lon=-98.48909&mag=2&zoom=14&q1=70%20Ne%20Loop%20410%2070%20N.E.%20LOOP%20410%20San%20Antonio%2C%20TX%2078216-5849](http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=70%2BNe%2BLoop%2B410%2070%20N.E.%20LOOP%20410%20San%20Antonio%2C%20TX%2078216-5849&mag=2&lat=&lon=&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=29.519907&lon=-98.48909&mag=2&zoom=14&q1=70%20Ne%20Loop%20410%2070%20N.E.%20LOOP%20410%20San%20Antonio%2C%20TX%2078216-5849) > > I’m not sure if it is this building or another one close by. There are several in that area! Let us know if she’s okay! ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/19 "2010-02-18T18:27:35Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Between the house fire, stealing the plane, and the kamikaze run I’m inclined to think there are some sort of personal problem(s) at work. With the IRS offices in the building I’m wondering about financial troubles and hatred of taxes… but who knows at this point if the nutball was actually targeting those people or just picked the building on a whim? Yeh, it’s anyone’s guess right now. It could’ve been totally random. But since it’s a suicide, I’m supposing he had a particular target in mind… especially since he also tried to kill his family. Either he worked there and was disgruntled, or was in trouble with his job or the IRS and was seeking vengeance or attempting to hide something, or of course something else entirely. ETA: Also, thanks for your aviation insight… it adds a lot of perspective to an incident like this. Especially that bit about the explosive parachute charge that could’ve exasperated the damage. ---
**Author:** ![LIONsob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/76d3ee/32.png) [@LIONsob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LIONsob)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/20 "2010-02-18T18:31:44Z")
Latest news, pilots name is joe stack and it is a suicide/attack on the IRS see [www.embeddedart.com](http://www.embeddedart.com) for his manifesto. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484.md?page=2)