Deadly plane crash in St. Augustine

July 31, 2008

Airport
St. Johns Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue are on the scene of a general aviation aircraft crash at The St. Augustine Airport according to a breaking report from Sgt. Chuck Mulligan.

Historic City News has learned that the crash occurred near the marsh at the east side of the airport property (not at the runway).

Rescue and Law enforcement personnel have confirmed that two persons were reported to be on board the aircraft and there are two confirmed deaths resulting from the crash.

The victims have not been identified.

First Coast News is reporting that a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration told them that the plane was an experimental plane known as a velocity.

The FAA says the plane is registered to Gary Forhan from Orange Park.

The plane crashed on departure on runway 13 shortly before 3 p.m., according to reports from authorities.

Maria Canepa, co-owner at the Fly-By Café said “The plane was trying to take off and it was bouncing up and down and it appeared to take off a little bit and then it went nose first into the ground.”

Photo credit: Kerry McGuire Historic City Media news photographer

Written by AuggieNewsHound · Filed Under Growth

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2 Responses to “Deadly plane crash in St. Augustine”

Editor on July 31st, 2008 9:12 pm

In a Historic City News update from Sgt. Chuck Mulligan, we were informed that the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and St Johns County Fire Rescue responded to a general aviation airplane crash shortly before 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon. The aircraft was reportedly taking off from the airport with two individuals on board, and crashed shortly after takeoff.

Airport Authority personnel along with, Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s Office responders were on scene soon after the crash and attempted to rescue the occupants, however, both had deceased at the crash site.

The aircraft was described as a Velocity 173RG experimental aircraft which had been in operation for a number of years, although the age of the aircraft is not currently known. The aircraft was reportedly for sale and the flight was intended to show the aircraft to a potential buyer.

The occupants of the crash have been recovered with the assistance from Florida’s Wildlife Commission with the use of an airboat, which was able to maneuver in the soft underlay of the marsh. The names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The crash investigation will be turned over to The NTSB to determine the cause of the crash.
Admin on August 1st, 2008 7:15 am

The victims of the airplane crash from yesterday are as follows:

Gene F. Powers, 51, from St. Augustine, FL.
Hal D. Peterson, 52, from Bonifay, Fl.

Petersons next of kin were eventually located in the northern portion of the U.S., so verification was not made until approx. 11:00 last night.