Northwest Harris County plane crash kills one: 'There is smoke kind of to the north'

A small plane crash in northwest Harris County claimed the life of a man on Thursday, authorities told Houston-based media outlets.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the aircraft with three people aboard went down in the 8500 block of Monterrey Pine Place near FM 2920, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported. 

KTRK reported that the plane was flying into Houston from Tennessee with a refueling stop in Louisiana before the incident.

DPS officials told KTRK that the plane purportedly experienced engine troubles near Hooks Airport.

The agency dispelled initial reports that the plane hit a nearby home, saying that it instead struck a couple of large trees and became situated between two homes, according to the station.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office (HCFMO) said that the aircraft spilled approximately 75 miles of aviation gas, per KTRK.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the two other passengers are recovering at the hospital from unspecified injuries.

According to the station, the plane is registered to Duluth, Minnesota-based Cirrus Design Corporation.

“There is smoke kind of to the north," air traffic controllers said in audio recordings from LIVE ATC, KHOU reported. “Two souls on board and one that is not doing so well."

KHOU reported that it’s not unusual for area residents to hear planes soar above, but Jaretzy Galvan recalled to the station hearing a noise that was out of the ordinary.

"All of a sudden, we heard a screech, like a high metal,” Galvan said, per KHOU. “At first, like we thought like maybe someone was tearing down like metal storage.”

KTRK reported that Eric Garcia’s thoughts turned to his neighbors upon hearing the sound of the crash.

"This neighborhood is usually busy with kids playing outside,” Garcia told the station. “I have a nephew, always outside with his bike and his friends. Good thing no one was injured around here in this neighborhood. I'm sorry for their loss, whoever lost their life. That's about it."

Authorities are investigating the incident.