Daytona Beach, FL - Update: The Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) says it has tentatively identified the student pilot and the designated pilot examiner killed in Wednesday morning's plane crash near the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market.
VCSO says the families have been notified, but the names of the two people who died in the crash are not being released until they can be officially positively identified. Federal authorities are now handling the investigation.
Earlier Reporting:
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has confirmed that a student pilot and a passenger who was a designated pilot examiner with the US Federal Aviation Administration were the two occupants who were killed in Wednesday morning's plane crash near the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market.
The identities of the student and FAA examiner will not be released until family members have been notified. "Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this devastating loss," writes President P. Barry Butler.
The cause of the accident hasn't been determined yet, but Embry-Riddle officials say the school will cooperate fully with all appropriate law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
The Embry-Riddle Counseling Center and the Chaplain's Office have been made available to provide support, as needed, to students, faculty, and staff.
More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Initial Reporting:
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the two occupants of a plane that went down in Daytona Beach on Wednesday morning were killed in the crash.
The crash was reported by witnesses who saw the plane go down off of Tomoka Farms Rd., near the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market, at around 9:54 AM on April 4. According to VCSO, witnesses said a wing fell off of the plane about 100 to 200 yards from where the plane finally came to a stop. "My understanding is, it was a training flight that took off from Daytona Beach," said Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
VCSO has notified the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities are en route to begin investigating the crash.
The identities of the deceased won't be released until next-of-kin have been notified.
Photo courtesy of arda savasciogullari and Shutterstock.com.
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