87-Year-Old Elzie Monroe McDonald Identified as Victim in Deadly Plane Crash in Plano

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Plano Business Owners Reflect on Devastating Plane Crash Incident

Plano, Texas – In the aftermath of a tragic plane crash that occurred in Plano, local business owners have been sharing their harrowing experiences. The Plano Police Department released a statement on Tuesday, revealing that a small plane had crashed near the intersection of West Park Boulevard and Midway Road, resulting in the pilot’s death. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the single-engine Mooney M20 aircraft nosedive before the collision, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

The pilot has been identified as 87-year-old Elzie Monroe McDonald from Arizona, who was just days away from celebrating his 88th birthday, according to Plano police. The plane crashed mere steps away from the entrance of Mama’s Daughters’ Diner, causing significant damage and destruction. Laura Bowers, the restaurant manager, was working at the time of the crash and vividly described the terrifying moment. “We all heard this noise; it was not a thud, it was a booming noise,” said Bowers. “I could see the flames around the door. I was able to push it open, and everything was in flames.” Unfortunately, the flames also engulfed Bowers’ car, which was parked in front of the restaurant.

Immediate evacuation of the building took place, ensuring the safety of employees and customers. Nancy Procaccini, the owner of Mama’s Daughters’ Diner, expressed gratitude that no one was hurt in the crash. She watched footage from the restaurant’s security cameras, capturing the flames and smoke, and was relieved that her customers and staff were unharmed. “If it would’ve hit just a few more feet, I had people sitting right there: Children, mothers, I had one of my staff members, been with me 35 years, sitting there,” Procaccini emotionally shared. “That’s what gets you. When you’ve got so many people in your house — mama’s house, that you love.”

Due to the damage caused by the crash, the diner remained closed the following day, leaving the staff unable to fulfill many of the restaurant’s Thanksgiving Day orders. Procaccini expressed her concern for customers who were unable to enjoy their traditional Mama’s food. “To not have Mama’s food on their table, like they may have been used to for 10-20 years, I think about that,” Procaccini stated. “This is like our Super Bowl.” She suggested that residents lay flowers on the western side of the building in remembrance of Elzie Monroe McDonald and announced her plans to reopen the diner on Saturday.

Customers who were present during the crash expressed their gratitude and admiration for the staff’s handling of the situation in response to a Facebook post by Mama’s Daughters’ Diner. The Nail Addiction salon, located next door to the restaurant, also experienced the shockwaves from the crash. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident left customers and employees deeply shaken. One staff member was outside at the time of the crash and narrowly avoided being struck by the plane. The salon owner shared their distress, stating, “He’s safe but mentally affected. He and his wife couldn’t sleep last night. Me and my wife couldn’t sleep last night either. Everyone is still very shocked from the incident.”

Investigators believe that McDonald was attempting an emergency maneuver known as a “go around” before the crash. They are currently working to determine if the nearby Air Park-Dallas Airport airstrip was the intended landing zone. Brian Rutt, an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated, “That is something we are going to be looking into. We will look at ATC records, radar data to confirm if that airstrip nearby had anything to do with this accident.” The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report on the incident within the next 15 days.

This devastating plane crash has deeply affected the Plano community, particularly the businesses in close proximity to the crash site. As the investigation continues, residents are coming together to offer support and pay tribute to the pilot. The resilience and unity displayed by these local business owners and their customers serve as a testament to the strength of the community during such challenging times..