‘Why That Happened, We’re Not Sure About That’: Federal Agencies Investigating Oklahoma City Plane Crash

Traffic is back to normal after a plane crash caused major backup on Interstate 235 near I-44. Traffic was affected this morning, and the wreckage was cleared only hours ago, but this all started on Sunday afternoon. 

"Around 12:58 p.m. we received a call that there was an aircraft down," Trooper Brack Miller with Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.  

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OHP and Oklahoma City firefighters responded and discovered the plane had hit power lines on the way down. 

"The first priority with any collision scene is always to keep roadways open if we can," Miller said.  

But he said the downed power lines left them no choice; I-235 was shut down north and southbound. 

"It was a pretty substantial back up, but it was a necessity to keep the motorists safe," he added.  

It also allowed first responders to do their part. 

"We got to the patient as quickly as we could,” Scott Douglas with the Oklahoma City Fire Department said. “We gave him onsite care and got him to an ambulance so he could be transported as quickly as possible."  

The pilot, who was alone in the aircraft, has been identified by family as Dr. Richard Stanford, a local pediatrician. His family told News 9 that he is responsive, but his injuries are severe. They are asking for prayers as the long road to recovery begins. 

"He was alert, and he was talking to us," Douglas said.  

He also heard Stanford's firsthand account at the scene of the crash. 

"He did say that he just lost power in the cockpit,” Douglas said. “Why that happened, we're not sure about that."  

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Bureau took over the investigation into the cause of the crash. 

The NTSB said in a statement to News 9 “...preliminary information indicates the pilot reported a reduction in RPMs...” But investigators have not determined an official cause. 

Roadways remained partially closed most of Monday morning as they cleared the plane, which has been moved to a secure facility. 

OHP confirms that all lanes should be back open at this time.