Mid-air collision: 4 dead after 2 small planes collide over Florida lake, sheriff says

Winter Haven, Fla. — Two small planes collided in midair over a central Florida lake Tuesday afternoon, killing the 4 folks in them, government stated.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated Tuesday night time that their our bodies were situated. “It is no longer a search and rescue operation, but a recovery operation,” he stated.

He stated one of the most planes concerned was once a Cherokee Piper 161 wearing Faith Irene Baker, 24, of Winter Haven, a pilot/flight trainer with Sunrise Aviation and Zachary Jean Mace, 19, of Winter Haven, a scholar at Polk State College. (*4*) as announcing it was once being operated on behalf of the varsity and was once a fixed-wing airplane.

Judd stated the opposite aircraft was once a Piper J-3 Cub with Randall Elbert Crawford, 67, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania and one different particular person on board. The J-3 is a glide aircraft. Again bringing up deputies, WKMG stated it was once operated via Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in Winter Haven.

“Deputies are working to confirm the identity of a fourth deceased person. … Once a positive identification has been made, and next of kin notification has been made, we will release the identity,” he stated.

“My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who were killed in today’s crash,” Judd added. “The NTSB and FAA will be investigating the cause and circumstances of the collision. Please keep the families in your prayers during this difficult and stressful time.”

Polk State College launched a observation at the deaths of Baker and Mace, CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP-TV reports.

“Our Polk State College family is devastated by this tragedy,” Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues.”

The faculty stated it’ll offer enhance methods to its scholars on campus, via telephone and nearly.

Deputies stated previous it wasn’t recognized the place the planes had taken off from or what led to the crash. Lake Hartridge, in Winter Haven, the place the planes went down, is in an instant southeast of the Winter Haven Regional Airport. Winter Haven is set 40 miles southwest of Orlando.

Witnesses recalled the planes crashing into each and every different after which in an instant falling into the water, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Steve Lester stated.

The wing of 1 aircraft was once protruding of the water, whilst the opposite airplane had settled about 21 toes underneath the outside, officers stated.