U.S.: Plane Attack Targets IRS Office in Texas

The Echelon building in Austin, Texas, where a small plane crashed on Feb. 18

A small single-engine plane crashed into the first and second stories of the Echelon No. 1 building at approximately 9:46 a.m. local time in northwest Austin, Texas, on Feb. 18, causing a fire and extensive structural damage. One death and two injuries have been reported at present, though there are several unconfirmed reports of “walking wounded” around the scene. Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled out of Houston as a precautionary measure. The pilot of the aircraft has been identified as Joseph Andrew Stack, who reportedly is dead.
The Echelon No. 1 building housed offices of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which were located on the first three floors. The Austin field office of the FBI was located in the same office complex, but the building housing the field offices was not struck by the aircraft.

RODGER BAKER/STRATFOR

A close-up view of the damage to the Echelon building

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials have reported that Stack set his home ablaze earlier in the morning in north Austin before traveling to the Georgetown Municipal Airport, some 30 miles to the north of Austin. Stack, a licensed pilot, reportedly took off in his personal aircraft at 9:20 a.m. local time without filing a flight plan. Pilots are not required to file flight plans when visual flight rule conditions prevail, and conditions were clear. Stack reportedly was seen flying at a very low altitude approaching the Echelon business complex from the northwest and proceeded to bank hard to the south into Echelon building No. 1.

  Reports have surfaced of a possible suicide note posted by Stack on the Internet detailing his long history of problems with the IRS. Stack reportedly concluded the note with, “I am finally ready to stop this insanity. Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.”   The present evidence indicates that this was a premeditated attack on the IRS offices located in the Echelon building. Given Stack’s extensive past with the IRS, he most likely would have been familiar with the location of the offices, as the IRS offices in that building are often a last stop for complaints regarding tax issues. This attack does not appear to have been coordinated with any other individuals.