Two killed in small plane crash off the coast near Venice Fishing Pier

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 
** Update 2:32pm **
 
The deceased males recovered Wednesday night following the plane crash ½ mile west of the Venice Fishing Pier have been identified as pilot William Jeffrey Lumpkin, 64, of Fishers, Ind., and passenger Ricky Joe Beaver, 60, of Noblesville, Ind. A debris field was also located Wednesday night. Rescue teams did not locate the plane or any other passengers last night. Divers were unable to be deployed until Thursday morning.

 

At 11:56 a.m. Thursday, divers located the main portion of the aircraft, a single-engine Piper PA-32R, as well as the bodies of two females believed to be the males’ spouses – Patricia Ann Lumpkin, 68, also of Fishers, and Elizabethe Anne Beaver, 57, of Noblesville. The wreckage is at a depth of approximately 23 feet.
 

As far as a timeline of events, the airplane left an airport in St. Petersburg last night and flew to Venice Airport, arriving around 5 p.m. The occupants met with friends and had dinner at Sharky’s On the Pier restaurant. They left Venice Airport at approximately 9:35 p.m. and crashed into the Gulf soon after takeoff. They were intending on returning to St. Pete via Albert Whitted Airport.

 

VPD has been in contact with the victims’ families and our hearts certainly go out to them.

 

Note unique spelling of Mrs. Beaver’s first name: Elizabethe
 

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** Update**
 
Emergency crews are still searching the debris field west of the Venice Fishing Pier this morning following Wednesday night’s plane crash. Venice Police are working closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife, the U.S Coast Guard and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. SCSO has divers in the water. Next of kin notification is still ongoing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified. More information will be released as it becomes available.
 
There are several video reports towards the bottom of this page.
 
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Venice Police are investigating a small plane crash in the Gulf, about a half-mile off the Venice Fishing Pier, around 9:30 p.m. The bodies of two males in their 50s-60s have been recovered. Investigators are working to determine whether the plane was taking off from or flying into Venice Airport. Venice Fire Rescue and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office are also on scene. Marine units are searching the area for any other possible victims.


 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCXUBgAM-Tk