Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Two men tragically lost their lives in a plane crash at North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport on Wednesday. The victims have been identified as Stephen Taylor, 59, from Hollywood, and Gojko Damjanic, 58, from Fort Lauderdale. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed their identities on Thursday.
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Flight Details
Stephen Taylor and Gojko Damjanic were flying a Piper PA28 on Wednesday, with one of the men undergoing training for a specific qualification. They departed from Pompano Beach Airpark in the early morning, making stops in Sarasota and Melbourne before landing at the North Palm Beach County airport at 2:08 p.m.
Tragically, while practicing takeoffs and landings, the plane crashed into a swampy lake adjacent to the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) air safety investigator, Daniel Boggs, revealed that the private pilot was training to obtain his instrument rating, which requires flying solely by referencing instruments.
Rescue Efforts
After the crash, the plane split in two, and rescue divers had to navigate through muddy waters to reach the wreckage. It took over an hour for divers and deputies to locate the men underwater. They were eventually pulled out using a basket attached to a Sheriff’s Office helicopter and pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Investigation and Recovery
The NTSB is conducting an investigation into the crash, focusing on factors such as pilot qualifications, aircraft maintenance, and weather conditions. The Piper PA28, a 1979 model commonly used by flight schools, has been removed from the lake and will undergo thorough examination at a designated facility.
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Paul Sanchez, the owner of the plane, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and stated that the technology onboard the aircraft could provide valuable information for investigators. A preliminary report on the incident is expected within two weeks, with a final report potentially taking over a year to complete.
Conclusion
It is a tragic day for the aviation community in South Florida as two experienced individuals lost their lives in a plane crash at North Palm Beach County Airport. The investigation will shed light on the circumstances leading to the accident and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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