FL - Twin-engine Piper PA-230-250 plane carrying 5 people crashed into Lake Okeechobee, 8 Mar 2019

[cybervampira]

5 dead, small plane crashes in Florida's Lake Okeechobee | Daily Mail Online

At least five people have died after their twin-engine Piper PA-230-250 aircraft crashed into a lake in Florida on Friday afternoon, according to authorities.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said that the plane was traveling from Tampa International Airport and was making its landing approach toward Pahokee Airport when it crashed into Lake Okeechobee at around 3:30pm.

Investigators from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are probing the accident, according to the Miami Herald.



The plane crashed just north of the airport - about 400 yards from shore, according to WPTV-TV.

The identities of the victims, whose bodies were found in the fuselage of the plane, have not been released.

Five dead after plane crashes into Lake Okeechobee, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office says

5 dead after small plane leaves Tampa airport, crashes in Lake Okeechobee

 

[Jim_M]

Oh man that is too sad. RIP to all the victims. Condolences to all the families & friends.

 

[ShHolmz]

Any opinions on why the flight path seems so erratic?

 

[cybervampira]

Any opinions on why the flight path seems so erratic?

Maybe @GraceG has a theory?

 

[ShHolmz]

5 people killed in Lake Okeechobee plane crash identified

In a news release, the sheriff's office says its marine unit and the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue recovered the bodies of five Florida residents from the plane's fuselage.

They are as follows: Heather Bridwell, 43, of Jupiter; Matthew Fiorello, 36, of Palm Beach Gardens; Edwin Mortell III, 54, of Stuart; Eduardo Mulet, 45, of West Palm Beach; and Eric Peterson, 73, of Lighthouse Point. Bridwell, Fiorello, Mortell and Peterson were all attorneys at Peterson and Bernard.

The events leading up to the plane crash are not yet known.

Sheriff's office investigators are handling the death investigation while the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board investigate the crash.

 

[ShHolmz]

[URL="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-plane-crash-lawyers-20190309-story.html"]Plane that crashed killing 4 lawyers from same firm and pilot likely lost engine over Lake Okeechobee, expert says[/URL]

Plane that crashed killing 4 lawyers from same firm and pilot likely lost engine over Lake Okeechobee, expert says

“This appears to be an unqualified pilot to operate a charter flight,” said Katz, the Dallas-based expert who tracks plane crashes nationwide. “The problem is that his medical certification was expired. After which he has no privilege to offer his services as a commercial pilot to the flying public.”

It is perfectly capable of flying on one engine, but only in the hands of a qualified and proficient pilot,” Katz said. “It requires enormous precision to be able to bring an airplane flying on one engine down to the runway safely.”

If Mulet was a legitimate charter pilot, he would have to requalify by demonstrating his competence every six months, Katz said.

“The pilot was struggling to maintain control,” Katz said. “I think his intention was to land in Pahokee and terminate the flight as soon as possible. But at the end, he completely lost control of the flight, and this you could see on flightaware.com.”

 

[MsFacetious]

Wow. 4 attorney's from the same firm. I cannot even imagine the ripple effect that will have.

 

[turanna25]

Its a fairly large law firm.. they have a few offices.. it appears that 2 of the lawyers were from the West Palm office and the other 2 were from the Stuart office. Such a shame. I'm sure it will have a profound effect on the firm and on all of their loved ones. RIP