Federal investigators survey plane crash

Historic City News and regional television reporters were at the scene this morning as investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Palm Coast to survey the damage and locate clues that may tell why a 55-year-old Bonanza aircraft fell from the sky yesterday.

The private airplane, registered in the British Virgin Islands, was carrying a pilot and two passengers, investigators confirmed this morning. All on board were killed in the crash, and the aircraft was a total loss.

The residence at 22 Utica Path, has been home to Susan B. Crockett since January 2005, according to property records. She was in her bedroom at the time of the crash and was able to escape through a window. Crockett received medical treatment at nearby Florida Hospital Flagler and is back at her residence today. The house sustained substantial, structural, fire and smoke damage.

“Preliminary information indicates that the plane was traveling from Fort Pierce on its way to Knoxville, Tennessee,” a Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson in Jacksonville told Historic City News. “The pilot reported having engine trouble, saw smoke, and then entered an area of bad weather.”

Flagler County sheriff’s deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol were first on the scene yesterday afternoon before 2:30 p.m.

“It appears the plane made a steep decent prior to crashing into the roof of the home,” FHP Lieutenant Justin Asbury told reporters. “A fire ensued and consumed the remainder of the plane and a great portion of the house.” At the scene, only portions of the wing remained.

Photo credits: © 2013 Historic City News staff photographer