Plane Crashes Near Ruidoso; 5 Killed, 2 Transported To El Paso

Authorities say a twin-engine Cessna plane that crashed Thursday morning at a regional airport in south-central New Mexico, killing five people onboard, was registered to an owner in Granbury, Texas.

According to the Cleburne (Texas) Times-Review, the airplane took off from Granbury and landed in Cleburne to pick up additional passengers. New Mexico State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said it appeared Duree came in too low and too close when attempting to land on the runway at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport near Ruidoso.

The plane crashed about half a mile away from the runway shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday. The airport tower is only manned on very busy days, according to Garcia.

Those on board who were killed are Rodney “Rod” Duree, his wife DeLaine, their son Lake, Lowell Richey and his wife, Keri.

The Richeys’ two sons – ages 12 and 16 – survived the crash and were taken to University Medical Center of El Paso. They are reportedly in critical condition.

FAA officials told ABC-7 Rodney Duree was the owner and pilot of the Cessna 310R plane with the tail number N310RH. Garcia said the plane can comfortablly accommodate eight people – six passengers and two pilots.

FAA officials said no flight plan was filed for Thursday, but the pilot did receive a weather briefing on Wednesday for flight conditions between Cleburne, Texas, and Ruidoso.

Witnesses told police that the plane was attempting to land when the accident occurred.

Because this is a fatality accident, the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.

According to NTSB’s accident database, there have been 19 fatal Cessna plane crashes in the U.S. between Jan. 2005 and June 16, 2010. There was a deadly plane crash a year ago at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport that involved a medical team. It crashed on takeoff.