N.C. Man Dies After Stealing Plane from Flight School and Crashing Near Texas-Oklahoma Border

Abigail Adams
·2 min read
1

Authorities have identified Logan Timothy James as the pilot in the stolen single-engine Cessna 172

Photo: Cessna Aircraft Co.
Photo: Cessna Aircraft Co.

  • A man has died after taking a plane from a Texas flight school and crashing it near the state's border with Oklahoma

  • The pilot, who was the only person on board, has been identified by authorities as 23-year-old Logan Timothy James of North Carolina

  • ATP Flight School told a local outlet that the man killed in the crash was a "private pilot ATP certified student"

Authorities say a student pilot has died after he stole a plane and crashed it near the Texas-Oklahoma border on Wednesday.

Logan Timothy James, 23, of North Carolina, has been identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety as the person who took the single-engine Cessna 172 from the ATP Flight School at Addison Airport, according to NBC affiliate KXAS-TV and CBS affiliate KTVT.

Authorities told KXAS-TV that the plane took off just after 6:53 p.m. local time, and DPS told the outlet the aircraft crashed into a field near the Fannin and Lamar county lines around 8:15 p.m.

The DPS did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Related: 3 Men Die When Medical Helicopter Crashes into Oklahoma Field After Transporting Patient

In an air traffic control recording heard by PEOPLE, James seemingly turned off the plane’s communications systems after stating his plans to travel to East Texas in the aircraft.

"I'm not going to listen to y'alls instructions," he said at one point.

The plane went down near the Red River in the open field about nine miles northeast of Telephone, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and FOX affiliate KDFW.

Allen died as a result of the crash.

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Allen was the only person inside the plan at the time of the crash, according to KDFW and KXAS-TV.

It is unclear why the plane went down when it did and what James’ motives were by taking the plane.

In a statement to KTVT, ATP Flight School said the man killed in the crash was a "private pilot ATP certified student."

Related: Experimental Plane Pilot and Fiancée Among 4 Dead in Crash Off California Coast

ATP Flight School did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, per the reports. The National Transportation Safety Board has joined the DPS in leading the investigation, according to KXAS-TV.

The outlet added that the Federal Aviation Administration is also assisting with the investigation.

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