Officials reported two individuals were killed, including the pilot, after a helicopter crashed and caught fire in Texas early Friday morning.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the victims were the only ones on board. Their identities have yet to be revealed.

According to Dallas TV station WFAA, the Robinson R44 aircraft crashed on an empty lot surrounded by businesses in Rowland at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The white aircraft appears to be spinning out of control against a blue sky in cell phone footage. As the plane tumbles down and out of view, its blades strain to revolve and eventually appear to give up.

The moment the chopper smashes into the ground and erupts into flames was recorded on film by a doorbell camera.

The burnt aeroplane was seen burning in a heap on the ground in aerial images from media choppers. Officials eventually erected a tent around the crash scene.

While working at a neighbouring repair shop, witness Joseph Kasper told WFAA that the helicopter fell down around 40 feet away from him.

The tail rotor blade seemed to break off in mid-air, sending the plane tumbling, according to Kasper.

Other witnesses claimed to have seen the tail come off as well.

Fabio Sanches Jelezoglo told WFAA, “I saw the chopper coming down.” “I heard a disturbance and glanced up to see a helicopter flying down with its tail snipped off.”

The cause of the accident is yet unknown. The inquiry is being led by the FAA and the National Transit Safety Board.

According to Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, a legal firm in Los Angeles, the Robinson R44 helicopter has a history of catastrophic incidents.

According to the business, the craft has been involved in 561 incidents, 203 of which were fatal, resulting in 405 deaths.

Rowland is roughly 120 miles northwest of Dallas, close to the Oklahoma state line.