What: N70FT Inc. Cessna 152 en route from Space Coast Aviation at the Merritt Island Airport
Where: Blue Cypress Lake, Indian River County, FL
When: June 9 2011
Who: 2 fatalities, Carly Beattie and Daniel Beattie
Why: A Cessna 152 chartered by Scottish visitors Carly Beattie and Daniel Beattie crashed in Indian River County southwest blue Cypress Lake. The plane crashed in mud and swampland in Blue Cypress Conservation area; the crash site is north of State Road 60 and east of Florida’s Turnpike, between Fellsmere and Yeehaw Junction, on land owned by the St. John’s River Water Management District. The rural area is home to venomous snakes and alligators, making recovery more difficult.
Carly was a student pilot, and not allowed to take passengers.
The plane apparently nosedived engine deep into the mud, splitting the fuselage behind the cockpit. The plane was lost on Thursday, reported Thursday at 11, and not found till Friday. Cell tower analysis helped to determine the location.
A crane will probably be used to recover the wreckage. An airboat was used to reach the site, and hikers were wearing waist-high boots. The NTSB is investigating.
