# 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:** 2
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/21 "2010-02-18T18:35:11Z")
Oh boy. The guy has a six-page rant up on his website about the IRS. This morning he posted something to the effect of “Let’s try something different. Take my pound of flesh and sleep well.” ---
**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, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/22 "2010-02-18T18:36:22Z")
> [@lionsob](#): > > 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. oooooof. ---
**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, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/23 "2010-02-18T18:37:38Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Oh boy. The guy has a six-page rant up on his website about the IRS. > > This morning he posted something to the effect of “Let’s try something different. Take my pound of flesh and sleep well.” From the website: > [@](#): > > My introduction to the real American nightmare starts back in the early ‘80s. Unfortunately after more than 16 years of school, somewhere along the line I picked up the absurd, pompous notion that I could read and understand plain English. Some friends introduced me to a group of people who were having ‘tax code’ readings and discussions. In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful “exemptions” that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy. We carefully studied the law (with the help of some of the “best”, high-paid, experienced tax lawyers in the business), and then began to do exactly what the “big boys” were doing (except that we weren’t steeling from our congregation or lying to the government about our massive profits in the name of God). We took a great deal of care to make it all visible, following all of the rules, exactly the way the law said it was to be done. > > The intent of this exercise and our efforts was to bring about a much-needed re-evaluation of the laws that allow the monsters of organized religion to make such a mockery of people who earn an honest living. However, this is where I learned that there are two “interpretations” for every law; one for the very rich, and one for the rest of us… Oh, and the monsters are the very ones making and enforcing the laws; the inquisition is still alive and well today in this country. > > That little lesson in patriotism cost me $40,000+, 10 years of my life, and set my retirement plans back to 0. Translation: I tried to game the tax codes for my own benefit, took the advice of other attempted tax-dodgers, and got caught. ---
**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, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/24 "2010-02-18T18:38:56Z")
FAA officials now say it was a Piper Cherokee PA-28. As an aside: Those are powered by Lycoming O-360 engines, some variants of which were partly designed by my father when he worked at Textron Lycoming. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/25 "2010-02-18T18:39:51Z")
[Latest news](http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2010/02/18/austin_police_say_a_plane.html) from the local daily, the _Austin American-Statesman._ No deaths reported yet. ---
**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, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/26 "2010-02-18T18:40:36Z")
I’ve e-mailed my sister, but I haven’t heard back yet. Does anyone know if the building that was crashed into is 9606 North Mopac Expressway > **[Yahoo Search - Web Search](https://search.yahoo.com/)** > > The search engine that helps you find exactly what you're looking for. Find the most relevant information, video, images, and answers from all across the Web. That map I gave in my first post was wrong, it was their San Antonio office ---
**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, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/27 "2010-02-18T18:42:28Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > I’ve e-mailed my sister, but I haven’t heard back yet. > > Does anyone know if the building that was crashed into is > > 9606 North Mopac Expressway > > [Yahoo Search - Web Search](http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=9606%2BN%2BMo%2BPac%2BExpy%209606%20North%20Mopac%20Austin%2C%20TX%2078759-5932%20us&mag=2&lat=&lon=&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=30.384755&lon=-97.736395&mag=2&zoom=14&q1=9606%20N%20Mo%20Pac%20Expy%209606%20North%20Mopac%20Austin%2C%20TX%2078759-5932%20us) > That map I gave in my first post was wrong, it was their San Antonio office They are saying on the news that it is building 2. ---
**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, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/28 "2010-02-18T18:44:00Z")
Well, it appears there is some confusion over the exact type of airplane, whether or not it was stolen, and various other details… so lets all keep in mind that when more facts come out our viewpoints may need adjusting. Although that manifesto does give a motive… ---
**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, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/29 "2010-02-18T18:45:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Latest news](http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2010/02/18/austin_police_say_a_plane.html) from the local daily, the _Austin American-Statesman._ No deaths reported yet. I’m going to nitpick that slightly - it’s a pretty sure bet Mr. Joe Stack did _not_ survive the impact. So, at least one death. Really, I’m getting a Tim McVeigh/Murrah Federal Building vibe off this story, anyone else? ---
**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, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/30 "2010-02-18T18:45:47Z")
> [@LIONsob](#): > > They are saying on the news that it is building 2. Really? CNN has been reporting it’s Echelon Bldg #3. ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/31 "2010-02-18T18:47:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m going to nitpick that slightly - it’s a pretty sure bet Mr. Joe Stack did _not_ survive the impact. So, at least one death. They’re also having trouble accounting for one person. Doesn’t mean he/she’s dead, but it’s not a good sign. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/32 "2010-02-18T18:51:00Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Really, I’m getting a Tim McVeigh/Murrah Federal Building vibe off this story, anyone else? 1. Guy’s from Texas. 2. Guy has a hatred of the Catholic Church. 3. Guy tries to re-interpret the tax code to his advantage. I’m getting a profile of the guy, that matches a lot of what I read in a gun forum I lurk at. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/33 "2010-02-18T18:54:47Z")
That’s a chilling rant, and it’s especially nasty that he signs it with his death year. But there’s something else going on, because why try to take your family with you if you’re mad at the IRS? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/34 "2010-02-18T18:56:35Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > FAA officials now say it was a Piper Cherokee PA-28. > > As an aside: Those are powered by Lycoming O-360 engines, some variants of which were partly designed by my father when he worked at Textron Lycoming. No, it depends on what the rest of the numbers are. If it’s a 140 then it’s an 0-320. Pa-28 represents a series of aircraft including an Arrow. The FAA said it was a PA-28 Cherokee so that should be a Cherokee 140 which is a 4 seat fixed gear, fixed prop plane with an 0-320 engine of 150/160 hp. If he was strait and level then the max speed would have been around 115 knots and if he was diving then closer to 140/150 knots although if it was a one-way trip I suppose breaking VNE doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Cherrie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Cherrie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherrie)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/35 "2010-02-18T18:57:17Z")
I work about a mile from the building. The street address is 9420 Research BLVD. If the address you posted is the address for your sisters building, she should be fine, **Palo Verde**. ---
**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, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/36 "2010-02-18T18:59:53Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > That’s a chilling rant, and it’s especially nasty that he signs it with his death year. > > But there’s something else going on, because why try to take your family with you if you’re mad at the IRS? Sounds like he’s bankrupt. Sadly it’s not extremely uncommon for men to kill their families before killing themselves if they’ve lost their jobs/savings, etc., and are at the “screw the world/my boss/my employer/the government” mode of thinking. [Link to article about “family annihilators”](http://www.newsweek.com/id/185440), called “Why Ordinary People Murder Their Families.” > [@](#): > > The killer is convinced that he no longer has the ability to take primary responsibility of his wife and his children. He may have lost his job in an economy that’s going south. He may have lost almost every penny in the stock market like many other people today. The husband/father feels that he will never again be able to find another comparable job and thus won’t ever be able to take care of his family. He feels a responsibility for the well being of his family and their current existence is so miserable that they would be happier in the hereafter where they can reunite after death. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/37 "2010-02-18T19:00:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’m getting a profile of the guy, that matches a lot of what I read in a gun forum I lurk at. Don’t annoy any of them. ---
**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, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/38 "2010-02-18T19:01:50Z")
I just got this message from my sister: > [@](#): > > No, just immediately across the freeway. The plane flew 70 feet over the top of our building, clipped the Marie Calendar’s parking lot lights, and then turned immediately and slammed, full throttle into the first/second floor of the Echelon building. The guy set his house on fire first and then ran into the IRS office. > > We can see it all from our parking garage. So she’s OK then. Great news! ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/39 "2010-02-18T19:05:58Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > From the website: > > Translation: I tried to game the tax codes for my own benefit, took the advice of other attempted tax-dodgers, and got caught. Then, after I was caught, I pretended that I was doing it as a political protest. ---
**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, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484/40 "2010-02-18T19:10:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > No, it depends on what the rest of the numbers are. If it’s a 140 then it’s an 0-320. Pa-28 represents a series of aircraft including an Arrow. And on further review (sorry 'bout that, Dad), some of the engines for the PA-28 weren’t even built by Lycoming. Hopefully by tomorrow night when I see him the news agencies will have their story straight about which plane it was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-plane-crashes-into-building-in-austin-tx/529484.md?page=3)