All 13 passengers survive plane crash at Burnet Municipal Airport
Thirteen people survived a plane crash at the Burnet Municipal Airport on Saturday morning.
Burnet County Sheriff's Office said they received a call about the crash around 9:00 a.m.
The plane, a C-47 vintage plane called the Bluebonnet Belle, crashed during take off, according to the Commemorative Air Force.
The C-47 is assigned to the Highland Lakes Squadron, and was heading to Oshkosh Wisconsin for an airshow.
All 13 people on board were able to exit the aircraft, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office.
One person was airlifted by helicopter to with significant burn injuries to the San Antonio burn unit, according to a spokesperson with the Commemorative Air Force.
The aircraft caught fire and ignited nearby grass. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the accident.
Members of the CAF help maintain the historic aircraft and lament that the plane is a total loss.
“We are thankful the aircrew was able to exit the aircraft. Out hearts go out to them and their families as they recover,” said CAF President Bob Stenevik. “Unfortunately, the historic aircraft will not be able to be restored. Our volunteer members work very hard to keep these aircraft flying and it is a loss for the entire organization.”
The Bluebonnet Belle has a storied history, beginning in 1944 when she was built in Oklahoma. She was transferred to Great Britain to the No. 48 Squadron, 46 Group Royal Air Force Transport Command to replace losses in the Normandy invasion and Operation Market Garden.
In total, the Belle flew 75 missions, carried 402 passengers, repatriated 61 ex-POWs, and transported 459 casualties, according to to the CAF.
In 2017, volunteers loaded up the Bluebonnet Belle with relief supplies and flew the historic craft to areas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
