Pilot 'crashes plane into Texas office block in dispute over tax'

The pilot flew the small aircraft into the building in Austin, Texas yesterday morning and is believed to have been killed immediately.

Officials were quick to deny any link to terrorism as images of the building engulfed in flames were broadcast around the world, evoking memories of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.

Two people were taken to hospital and scores of walking wounded were treated outside as paramedics set up an emergency hospital at the scene.

The building at 9420 Research Boulevard contains an Internal Revenue Service office – the American federal tax agency – and is opposite FBI field offices.

US law enforcement officials said authorities were trying to determine if the pilot had intentionally targeted the federal Internal Revenue Service

The crash sent workers fleeing as ceilings crumbled, windows shattered and flames shot out of the building.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the pilot did not file a flight plan.

In Washington, a federal official identified the pilot as Joseph Stack and said investigators were looking at an anti-government message on the Internet which was linked to him.

The website outlines problems with the IRS and says violence "is the only answer".

In Washington, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the incident did not appear to be linked to terrorism although President Barack Obama was being briefed.

As a precaution, however, two F-16 fighter aircraft were scrambled to conduct patrols over the Texas state capital.

IRS revenue officer Peggy Walker who works in the building said she was sitting at her desk when the plane crashed.

"It felt like a bomb blew off. The ceiling caved in and windows blew in. We got up and ran," she said.

Matt Farney, 39, who was in the car park of a nearby store, said he saw a low-flying small plane near some apartments and the office building just before it crashed.

"I figured he was going to buzz the apartments or he was showing off," Mr Farney said. "It was insane. It didn't look like he was out of control or anything."

Sitting at her desk in another building about half a mile from the crash, Michelle Santibanez said she felt vibrations after the crash.

She and her colleagues ran to the windows, where they saw a scene which reminded them of the 2001 terrorist attacks, she said.

"It was the same kind of scenario with window panels falling out and desks falling out and paperwork flying," said Ms Santibanez, an accountant.

IRS Agent William Winnie said he was on the third floor when he saw the plane coming towards the building.

"It looked like it was coming right in my window," he said.

"I didn't lose my footing, but it was enough to knock people who were sitting to the floor."

Stuart Newberg was outside and saw the plane fly overhead.

"It was flying low and fast and I did a double take," he said. "I thought it was a play remote control plane. Then I saw the smoke."

The plane, identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a single-engine Piper Cherokee, took off from an airport in Georgetown, Texas and was understood to be flying under rules that did not require the pilot to maintain contact with air controllers.

Police are investigating claims the pilot had set fire to his house before taking off.