The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

CIVIL Aviation Department investigators flew into Treasure Cay, Abaco yesterday afternoon to begin their probe into Sunday's deadly plane crash that killed two American couples.

Married South Floridians Gregory and Janice Schwartzenberger and Dennis and Janie Sartoris tragically lost their lives in the accident, with officials reporting their bodies were found burned beyond recognition.

Acting director of the department, Eugene Butler, said: "We cannot say at this time exactly what is the cause of the crash because there are a number of factors that we have to look at.

"We have to look at the weather, if pilot error was involved, if there was some mechanical problem with the aircraft - that will take some time."

He said investigators will also speak to eye-witnesses as they might be able to assist in determining the cause of the crash.

Mr Butler added the probe will be "an ongoing process" with help from the USA's National Transportation Security Board and an employee from the aircraft manufacturer.

"These things do happen and we're trying to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible," he said.

"There's a lot of steps you have to go through to leave no stone unturned."

The couples were headed to Fort Pierce, Florida when their single-engine, six-seater Piper Cherokee aircraft went down into trees on the north side of the runway sometime after 1.30pm. The couples were co-owners of the plane and flew often between Jacksonville and the Bahamas.

Administrator Theophilus Cox explained that air traffic controllers did not realise the plane had crashed until they sent a team out to investigate smoke rising from the area.

"They saw the smoke and the fire rescue from the airport came to investigate and they came and found the plane engulfed in flames.

"Because of the wind, normally they would take off heading east. But because of the direction of wind, they took off in the other direction - away from the terminal. (Air traffic) thought the aircraft was already airborne."

Fire and Crash Rescue Chief Colin Albury said the flames were extinguished in about two minutes after firefighters arrived on the scene.

According to the Florida aircraft registry, the Piper PA-32R was registered to Moonchaser LLC, registration number 8415c. The limited liability company was jointly managed by Mr Schwartzenberger and Mr Sartoris.