A family of three, including a 12-year-old child, were flying in a small plane when it crashed off the coast of Florida on Saturday night.
Investigators are still searching for the man they believe was piloting the plane that went down without warning on a flight between Venice, Florida and St Petersburg.
The victims were identified as Christian Kath, 42, Misty Kath, 43, and their daughter, Lily Kath, 12.
Divers discovered Misty’s body about 2 miles off the coast of Venice Beach, while Lily was found still inside the aircraft. Christian, who investigators believe was piloting the aircraft, is still missing.
The search for the father is expected to continue, with the US Coast Guard, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department, and other area police departments assisting.
Investigators have asked area boaters to assist if they see anything signs of the man or aircraft debris.
The family was from Australia but had been living in St Petersburg. On Saturday, they had rented a Piper Cherokee plane in the city to fly south to Venice for the evening, Police Chief Charlie Thorpe stated.
‘They travelled here, it appears, for dinner. and intended to return directly back to St Pete.’
The plane only made it about 1/3 of a mile away from the airport before unexpectedly plunging into the ocean. The pilot made no mayday calls before the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into what exactly caused the plane’s fatal crash.
This is not the first fatal plane crash to happen off American coasts this year. In September, a single-engine plane carrying tourists over the Puget Sound crashed near San Juan Island, Washington.
Ten people were onboard the aircraft, which eluded search and rescue personnel for days before it was recovered. Only one person’s body was recovered after the crash.
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