Small Plane Hits Building in Austin

A small plane crashed into a seven-story commercial building in Austin, Texas, Thursday morning, causing extensive damage and shooting billowing smoke above the city's skyline.

Fire officials in Austin said at least two persons were injured and rushed to a hospital. CBS News, quoting a law enforcement official, reported that the pilot died in the crash.

A fire continued burning as firefighters charged into the building.

CNN, quoting a federal official, said the plane, a Piper Cherokee PA-28, was deliberately crashed into the building by a man identified as Joseph Andrew Stack, the apparent owner of the aircraft. Earlier, the pilot reportedly set his house afire and left a note on a Web site, registered in his name, railing against the Internal Revenue Service and threatening violence, the cable network said.

The building houses an outsourced Internal Revenue Service office with at least 190 employees, the IRS in Dallas told CNN.

"Understand, it is very, very early," an Austin Fire Department spokesman said when asked about the extent of injuries or deaths.

Police, firefighters, and federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents swarmed to the scene.

The plane appeared to hit the building at the second or third floor. An early report that the plane had been stolen was discounted as authorities filled in details.

UPDATE 6:30 ET: The pilot's identity has been confirmed as Joseph Andrew Stack, 53. He was confirmed dead but his body was not found. Thirteen people were injured and two remained hospitalized Thursday afternoon, officials said at a news conference. One person who worked in the building was still unaccounted for.

A message on a web site registered to Stack and signed "Joe Stack" spoke of disillusionment with the U.S. government and recounted a history of financial difficulties and frustrations with the tax system. The long, rambling letter said the writer had "a storm raging in [his] head," and that "desperate times call for desperate measures."