MIDLAND, TX—JUNE 1, 2018—Officials confirmed today that Quarter Horse trainer John Cooper and his son Gavyn were killed Thursday in a plane crash in Midland, Texas.

According to a report the plane crashed into a fence at 7:20 p.m. last night (Thursday). The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the accident.

The FAA said the single-engine Cirrus SR22 plane was taking off from Midland when the crash happened. The plane was taking off from runway 16 and preparing to exit the traffic pattern when it crashed near the approach end of runway 10, starting a fire.

John M. Cooper, who began training in 2016, has saddled 24 winners with earnings of nearly $450,000. John M. Cooper was having the best year of his young training career after being successful in the energy business.

Last Saturday, the Cooper-trained Pj Splash Of Joy qualified for the Grade 1, $1 million Ruidoso Futurity. Last Sunday, the Cooper trained Flight Force gained top preference to race in the $100,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes at Ruidoso Downs.

Cooper had entered Mojo Perry in the $100,000 Junos Request Stakes at Remington Park to run on Saturday night. Mojo Perry is coming off a third-place run in the Decketta Stakes.

Gavyn Cooper, 16, was an promising quarterback AT Midland High School, but went to Trinity School from 2012-2106. He was set to graduate in 2020.

The pair are survived by Chassity Cooper, John's wife and Gavyn's mother, and Callie Cooper, sister to Gavyn and daughter of John.

The SR22 plane has been the world’s best-selling general aviation airplane every year since 2003.

Funeral services will be posted when they become available.