NTSB and the FAA Investigating a Plane Crash in North Odessa Near Schlemeyer Airfield

Odessa, Texas/August 20, 2024-On Tuesday, August 20th at approximately 7am Odessa Fire Rescue responded to a major fire within the 6800 block Alderfer Ave. A small plane that took off from Schlemeyer Field was flying southbound at a low altitude over Yukon Rd., hit power lines on Yukon Rd., and also hitting and damaging a business also on Yukon Rd. The plane went down in the ally in the area of Alderfer Ave and Stevens Ave. Several trailer homes were fully engulfed. OFR rescued a female from a burning trailer home and was transported to a local hospital. 

The aircraft, a 1991 Cessna 550 piloted by Joseph Vincent Summa, a 48 years of age male of Bellaire, Texas. The passenger identified as Joleen Cavaretta Weatherly, a 49 years of age female of Orange, Texas were both pronounced deceased at the scene. The NTSB and the FAA were notified and have begun their investigation. More information as it becomes available. 

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. 

2024 Disaster Exercise at Midland International Air & Space Port

Midland, Texas/June 1, 2024-The City of Midland, First Responders, Midland PD and the Midland International Air & Space Port along with Odessa Fire Resue held a Disaster Exercise. The 2024 DisEx is a way of evaluating the Airport Emergency Plan to identify strengths and weaknesses in the plan. 

(Nicholas Krakovec, Deputy Director City of Midland Airports-Midland International Air & Space Port/Midland, Texas) 

If a mass casualty event should occur at the Midland International Air & Space Port the first responder community will be ready to respond and save lives. 

(Nicholas Krakovec, Deputy Director City of Midland Airports-Midland International Air & Space Port/Midland, Texas) 

Airports certified for air carrier operations must have an Airport Emergency Plan. The plan must be reviewed annually and tested every three years. 

(Nicholas Krakovec, Deputy Director City of Midland Airports-Midland International Air & Space Port/Midland, Texas) 

Volunteers included cadets from the Midland Fire Department, members of the Civil Air Patrol, STEM Academy and from departments of the City of Midland simulated victims of a mass casualty event. Inflatable mannequins were also used to simulate victims. The last Disaster Exercise was in May of 2021.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.