April 6, 2023
STORY UPDATE 4/6/2023 3:00 PM
Tragedy Strikes Venice, Florida Tragic Plane Crash Kills Four in Venice, FL
Officials have identified the four passengers who died as pilot William Lumpkin, 64, Patricia Lumpkin, 68, Ricky Beaver, 60, and Elizabeth Beaver, 57. The couples had just finished having dinner at Sharky’s On the Pier prior to the crash and departed from the airport at 9:35 p.m.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded quickly to investigate the accident, and it was found that the plane crashed around a half mile off of the pier. Unfortunately, investigators were only able to locate the bodies of two male passengers initially before they had to wait until daybreak to send divers into search for more wreckage and find the female passengers. At 11:5 on Thursday morning, divers located the main portion of the plane with both female passengers still inside.
This is not only heart-breaking for those affected by this tragedy but also for those in Venice as this is now the second plane crash leaving from Venice Municipal Airport in less than four months following a crash in December.
“We are devastated by this tragedy,” said NTSB Chief Investigator Robert Sumwalt. “Our hearts go out to all those involved and their families during this difficult time.”