UPDATE: APRIL 14 - 7:40 AM
Two people are in critical condition after a training aircraft struck power lines while approaching Corpus Christi International Airport on Monday evening, according to updated information from Splendid Aviation.
The single-engine aircraft came into contact with power lines during approach procedures and crashed along westbound Highway 44 near Clarkwood Road just before 7:30 p.m.
Both occupants — an instructor and student pilot — were initially transported to local hospitals with critical injuries.
They were later transported to San Antonio for specialized medical care, according to Splendid Aviation.
The crash forced authorities to shut down part of the westbound Highway 44 near the airport on Monday evening.
The flight training organization confirmed that it is fully cooperating with both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as investigators work to determine the cause of the incident. Officials declined to speculate on what led to the crash out of respect for the ongoing investigation process.
Splendid Aviation stated they will provide additional information as it becomes available.
UPDATE: APRIL 13 - 8:55 PM
Two people are reported to be critically injured as a result of the plane crash.
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ORIGINAL: APRIL 13
A crash landing has forced part of Highway 44 to shut down near the Corpus Christi International Airport.
The plane crashed along westbound Highway 44 near Clarkwood Road just before 7:30 p.m.
According to Senior Officer Tony Contreras with the Corpus Christi Police Department's Public Information Office, a small single-engine plane crashed.
It's not known how many people were on the plane or their conditions.
Drivers are being asked to avoid the area if possible and find an alternate route.
This is a developing story. We'll have more updates as soon as information becomes available.
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