Pipeline Patrol Cessna Crashes, Killing Pilot

A Cessna 172 single engine airplane conducting a pipeline patrol west of Odessa crashed Monday morning killing the pilot. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash happened at 8:55 a.m. 15 miles northwest of Odessa.

Midland/Odessa television station NewsWest9 reported that the aircraft was owned and operated by American Patrols, Inc., a production and pipeline patrol vendor for the oil producers in the region.

DPS reported that witnesses of the crash said that the Cessna was in a left hand turn and lost altitude, eventually hitting the ground and exploding. Newswest9 reported that the crash was on private property and they do not have access to the crash site. The crash site is near the intersection of FM 1936 and Hwy 158, they reported.

The pilot was identified as Jeffery Michael McNamee, 28, from Littleton, Colorado. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Chuck Moad, Ector County Medical Examiner. He was the only occupant of the airplane.

American Patrols requires 1,000 hours of pilot in command time along with commercial and instrument pilot ratings to be hired, according to their website. Their C-172 airplanes have a red tail that is a signature of the company.

DPS said that the FAA will be conducting the investigation.