CLEBURNE, Texas – An U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was one of two people killed in the crash of a small plane south of Fort Worth, Texas, this week, a military official said.
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said on Twitter that Nick Duran, a junior, died in the crash Thursday while home in Texas on leave.
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From the Supt, Lt. Gen. Clark: "On June 24, we lost one of our own. C2C Nick Duran died as a result of a single-engine plane crash while he was home in Texas on leave. The impact of losing Nick has been felt throughout our Academy." pic.twitter.com/idTJgUoAN6
— U.S. Air Force Academy (@AF_Academy) June 26, 2021
“He was our brother — a friend, teammate, and classmate — and will always be a part of USAFA,” Clark said. “I am so proud of how our cadets have leaned on each other and honored Nick’s life.”
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office said Duran, who was 20, died of blunt force injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the wreckage of the single-engine Grumman/American Aviation AA-1A with two people aboard was found Thursday near Cleburne after it had been declared missing.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said two people were confirmed dead. DPS said the plane was located just west of Cleburne Regional Airport.
Cleburne is located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Fort Worth.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident.