ODESSA, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Two people have been confirmed dead after a plane crash into a residential area in Odessa Tuesday morning.
According to the City of Odessa, fire crews responded to calls of heavy smoke and fire around 7 a.m. Tuesday morning in the 6800 block of Alderfer Avenue, on the city's north side.
City officials say fire and heavy smoke was coming from several mobile homes and some shop buildings; power lines and a nearby business were also damaged in the crash.
In addition to the two deaths, Odessa fire crews rescued a female victim from one of the burning mobile homes. She was hospitalized in unknown condition.
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis said it appeared that the pilot tried to avoid crashing into the houses in the area. Witnesses reported the plane struggling to gain altitude; the Schlemeyer Field Airport is nearby the crash site.
Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration are expected to take over the investigation from local authorities.