West Palm Beach, FL—For the first time in over a decade, a fatal plane crash was reported at Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA). Three people were found dead and one person later died after the twin-engine plane took off and smashed back into the tarmac and caught fire at around 6 p.m., on Thursday, November 11, 2010, reports the Palm Beach Post.
The Piper PA-44 Seminole four-seater plane reportedly just arrived at PBIA from the Bahamas, in order to clear customs. As the plane was taking off from PBIA to continue their flight to Melbourne, it flew for a short distance before it crashed back down into the tarmac below, and erupted in flames.
Two flight school students and an instructor from the Florida Institute of Technology’s aviation school in Melbourne were on board the plane at the time of the fatal crash. They were reportedly conducting a routine training flight as part of the school’s international flight curriculum.
Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue rushed to the scene, where they found a lone survivor buried underneath a pile of bodies. The sole survivor was then airlifted by helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where the victim was listed in critical condition, but subsequently succumbed to their injuries.
Two brothers, Kyle and Kristopher Joy Henegar, a flight student along with Dheni Teresa Frembling, an instructor on the Piper and graduate of the school and Jordyn Leigh Agostini, an instructor due to graduate in December were aboard the plane when it crashed.
Federal crash investigators alleged that one of the engines was not working when the Piper went down. The lead investigator, Butch Wilson said, “ We suspect we know how the impact happened,” but provided no details. All three pilots on board were very experienced, two were commercial rated pilots and the student pilot also had advanced training.
The Dean of the College of Aeronautics Winston Scott told reporters, “We can only assume the student was flying the airplane with the instructor sitting next to the student. That’s how it’s typically done.”
Maintenance records showed that the airplane was bought in 2007 and has the latest technology and recently completed its 100-hour inspection.
Aviation accidents can be overwhelming and traumatic for the victims and their families and many are at a loss as to what steps to take or where to turn for help after the crash. A New York City aviation accident attorney can help victims and loved ones begin the healing process by helping them to understand their rights, navigate the complex legal process and work to gain compensation for their injuries caused by the tragic accident. It is important to contact a veteran airline accident lawyer that is familiar with the complex technical and legal issues associated with these types of cases to represent you in court.
Report by New York City aviation accident attorney Jonathan C. Reiter, a New York personal injury lawyer experienced in representing victims of airline accidents. www.jcrieterlaw.com/ Phone: (212) 736-0979.
