FAA begins investigation into Sunday plane crash

Federal Aviation Administration investigators have begun their exploration of what happened Sunday night to cause a 1955 Beechcraft Bonanza piloted by a Wichita Falls dentist to crash west of the city.

Lynn Lunsford, a spokesperson for the agency, confirmed Tuesday morning that investigators were on site to begin their work.

"It typically takes several weeks to several months to complete the process," he said of the investigation. "A preliminary report should be available on the (National Traffic Safety Board's) Aviation Accident Database within a couple of weeks."

As first reported by the Times Record News, the Bonanza went down near Wichita Valley Airport Sunday at about 9 p.m., possibly as a result of severe weather in the area. The aircraft crashed into an irrigation canal, where it remained Tuesday morning.

The pilot, 65-year-old dentist John H. Knowles, remained in the aircraft overnight. He departed the Bonanza Monday morning and walked to a nearby residence for help.

Lee Riley, who was at the residence, told a Times Record News photographer that he saw the man walking next to a red and white barn toward the home.

"I asked him, 'What in Sam Hill is going on?'" he said. "He said, 'I had an airplane crash.'"

Riley said the pilot had injuries to an arm, leg and his head. The pilot also had told him that the crash happened over night.

There was some confusion by first responders initially when the call first came in before 10 a.m. Monday. Emergency crews and law enforcement first went to the residence at 3626 Iowa Park Road and Harris Lane because that's where the 911 call originated. They found the pilot but didn't find a plane.

The plane was later found further west at the intersection of Iowa Park Road and Farm-to-Market 369.

Riley said he had injuries to an arm, leg and his head.

Knowles was transported to United Regional Health Care System. He was listed in fair condition Tuesday afternoon.