Report details Echelon Building damage

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A newly-released report details the extent of the damage caused when a small plane hit a northwest Austin office building last month.

The City of Austin released the initial damage report for the Echelon Building.  The release comes in response to an open records request by KXAN Austin News.

A photo in the report shows the point where the plane hit the building - bending a girder at the second level floor line.

But the worst structural damage was to the steel joists that support the third floor.

The report, dated February 25th, says those beams suffered substantial and irreparable damage from the heat of the fire.

The report makes references to the need to remove sensitive and confidential items before workers begin shoring up the damaged third floor for more extensive repairs.

Despite the damage, the inspector said, overall, the supporting structure is in "good working condition."

The report clearly states the foundation was not damaged by the crash or resulting fire.  But, the document also calls for a more-detailed examination of the building to determine the full effect of both the impact and fire on the supporting structure.