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Retired FBI agent, former CEO, lawyer from Texas killed in Australia plane crash

By Stephen Feller and Doug G. Ware
Emergency workers inspect the scene of a plane crash at a shopping center in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday. All five people on board died, including a retired FBI agent, former CEO and a retired lawyer -- all from Texas. Photo by Joe Castro/EPA
1 of 3 | Emergency workers inspect the scene of a plane crash at a shopping center in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday. All five people on board died, including a retired FBI agent, former CEO and a retired lawyer -- all from Texas. Photo by Joe Castro/EPA

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Four Americans, including a retired agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, died Tuesday in a plane crash in Australia, authorities said.

Emergency officials in Melbourne said engine failure brought down the Beechcraft King Air plane, which witnesses said sparked a fireball at the Direct Factory Outlets Center, near Essendon Airport.

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All five people on board died -- four Americans and the Australian pilot. Three of the American victims were identified as Glenn Garland, Greg Reynolds De Haven and Russell Munsch.

Garland was the former chief executive of Texas-based CLEAResult, an energy company. De Haven, 70, worked at the FBI for 30 years and Munsch was a retired lawyer who co-founded the firm Munsch Hardt.

Witnesses said the plane appeared to be coming in low and fast before they saw an explosion at the mall. The plane hit the back of the mall, sending parts of the aircraft as far as the Tullamarine Freeway, on the opposite side of the shopping center.

"[I thought] what the hell? That doesn't happen every day," witness Michael Henry said. "It was crazy, like something from a movie."

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The pilot was identified as Max Quartermain, who was flying the others to King Island in the Bass Strait off the southern coast of Australia.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who died in today's tragic crash," a U.S. State Department official told NBC News. "The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Melbourne are working closely with local authorities. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance to the families of the victims."

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