Two men who were possibly attempting aeronautical stunts died after their plane crashed in to the Trinity River in Texas Saturday evening. Screenshot from ABC News 13

LIBERTY COUNY, Texas, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Two men who were possibly attempting aeronautical stunts died after their plane crashed in to the Trinity River in Texas Saturday evening.

The men are identified as pilot Patrick Joseph Falterman, 26, of Cleveland, Texas and Zach Ester, 25, who was visiting Liberty County from Louisiana, CBS News reported.


The Liberty County Sheriff's Office issued a statement saying the plane had stalled before crashing into the river about a quarter mile from Highway 105.

First responders, deputies and volunteer fire departments rushed to the crash site, where they found the plane upside down in the river, KHOU reported.

Witnesses said the plane was flying low before it went nose first into the river about 7 p.m. They said it appeared the pilot was attemping to do stunts and the engine stalled as he tried a backward loop, at which point it rolled over and struck the water.

An autopsy has been ordered on the two men and an official from the Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation.

The airplane remains in the river and will be removed at a later date.