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Four die in Branson plane crash

By AP/KWMU

Branson, MO – Four Texans died when a twin-engine plane crashed and burned Monday in Branson, Mo.

The plane just missed hitting Route 76 - the main entertainment strip in the tourist town. It struck a storage complex near the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

The plane was headed to Lubbock, Tex. and killed Paul Johnson, 71; his wife, Marcia; as well as Bill and Betty Roach. Paul Johnson was believed to be the pilot.

The FAA says the plane took off for Lubbock from Taney County Airport in Point Lookout around 12:15 p.m. but the pilot reported some kind of difficulty and tried to return to the airport.

Branson Police Chief Caroll McCullough said there was no way to tell if the pilot deliberately avoided populated areas.

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