LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. — A devastating plane crash Tuesday morning, October 21, 2025, claimed the lives of three people from Texas after their small aircraft went down in a rural field near Gloria Switch Road and LA Highway 93, according to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the victims as Bruce Verduyn, 58, of The Woodlands; Lydia Laws, 46, of Spring; and Justin Ramsey, 42, of The Woodlands. The trio had been traveling aboard a Beechcraft Baron twin-engine aircraft when the plane reportedly began circling and losing altitude shortly before crashing just after 11 a.m.
According to FlightAware data, the aircraft—bearing tail number N16PV—departed Hooks Memorial Airport near Houston at approximately 9:53 a.m. The final radar signal was recorded near the crash site at 11:01 a.m. Witnesses in the area reported seeing the plane descending rapidly before it impacted the ground, sending debris across a wide section of the field.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including Lafayette Fire Department, Acadian Ambulance Service, and local sheriff’s deputies, arrived within minutes of the crash. Despite their rapid response, all three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that no one on the ground was injured, and there were no reports of fire spreading beyond the wreckage.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations to determine what led to the fatal incident. Investigators are expected to examine flight records, maintenance logs, and weather conditions at the time of the crash. A preliminary report from the NTSB is anticipated within the next several weeks, though full findings may take months to finalize.
The tragedy has sent waves of grief through both Texas and Louisiana communities as family, friends, and colleagues mourn the sudden loss of three lives. Local authorities have extended condolences to the victims’ loved ones and urged the public to keep them in their thoughts during this difficult time. As the investigation continues, officials remain focused on uncovering the cause of the crash and ensuring aviation safety across the region.