OHP: Plane Was Performing Aerobatics When It Crashed Near Fairmont

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol released a collision report Friday, saying a plane was performing aerobatics before it crashed near Fairmont, Oklahoma, Thursday night, killing two people on board.

According to the OHP, emergency crews responded to the crash at about 6:40 p.m. in a private field near the intersection of 150th Street and Rupe Avenue. The location is about three miles east and a mile north of Fairmont.

Troopers said the 1993 Runyan S/ Harris R Skybolt 300 fixed wing, single engine aircraft was flown by 55-year-old Randall Lee Harris of Owasso. According to the collision report, the plane was flying southbound when Harris attempted an aerobatic maneuver. For an unknown reason, Harris lost control of the plane and was unable to regain control.  The plane then crashed into the ground in an open, private field.

Harris was pronounced dead on scene from massive injuries.

A passenger in the plane, later identified as United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant Dale Bryan Shillington of Vance Air Force Base in Enid, was also pronounced dead on scene from massive injuries. He was 25 years old.

Harris’ condition at the time of the collision is unclear at this time. The cause of the crash is also under investigation.

Both Harris and Shillington were properly restrained in the plane before the crash. They were pinned for about one hour before being freed by Covington firefighters, using the jaws of life.

Officials with Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, confirmed that the plane was scheduled to perform during the Open House and Airshow on Saturday and Sunday.

Vance Air Force Base released a statement, saying the airshow will still take place, but a moment of silence will be observed,

"The Open House and Airshow scheduled tomorrow at Vance Air Force Base will proceed as planned. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform at 2:30 p.m. A civilian aircraft scheduled to perform at the Open House was involved in an accident Thursday evening a few miles east of Enid, Oklahoma. The pilot and an Air Force active duty military member were killed. A moment of silence will be observed during the opening remarks at the Open House Saturday to honor the deceased. Names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin."