plane crash

Now they are saying they found two bodies:

Governor John P. deJongh, Jr.
BODIES OF TWO MISSING PASSENGERS FROM
DOWNED AIRCRAFT RECOVERED SUNDAY

Recovery crews removed the bodies of the two missing passengers from a downed Piper Aztec airplane on Sunday morning after the aircraft, which was located on Saturday afternoon, was raised from the waters near the Cyril E. King Airport.

The plane, which crashed a little over five miles short of King Airport last week Saturday morning, was located in about 100 feet of water yesterday afternoon. It was later towed to the waters just north of the King Airport and secured overnight. Around 11:30 p.m. last night recovery crews led by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources suspended the effort to remove what was then reported to be the body of one passenger due to lighting limitations and safety concerns. The effort resumed at sunrise today and once a crane lifted the wreckage, it became visible that there were two bodies inside the aircraft.

In meticulous fashion, dive crews strapped the aircraft and it was lifted from the waters onto a platform truck on the northwestern end of King Airport. Staff from the Medical Examiner’s Office, VIPD Forensics Unit and DPNR enforcement officers removed the bodies of both a male and female passenger.

The missing passengers were Darwin Carr and Rachel Hamilton. There were no signs of the missing pilot, Kirby Hodge. Late Sunday morning, government officials notified the families of Rachel Hamilton and Darwin Carr that the aircraft had been found, that the two bodies had been recovered and that in all likelihood, the bodies were those of Hamilton and Carr. An autopsy scheduled for early next week will confirm the identities and determine the cause of death.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified that the aircraft was located. Federal officials are expected on island shortly to begin the process of determining the cause of the October 13th crash.

Sad news. At least the families can begin to make peace with their loss.

I would imagine that the survivor could shed some light on what happened. But so far, I haven't read or heard any about any interviews iwith her. Has anyone else heard anything from interviews with her?

I'd bet something mechanical failed. Anyway, it's a sad story.

I would imagine that the survivor could shed some light on what happened. But so far, I haven't read or heard any about any interviews iwith her. Has anyone else heard anything from interviews with her?

From yesterday's Daily News:

"(Thompson) said the flight from St. Croix to St. Thomas had appeared to be a normal one with just minor turbulence along the way until she felt the aircraft hit the sea.

She said she felt water rushing into the plane and someone held her and pushed her out of the plane and into the cold dark Caribbean Sea, but she did not believe that the others aboard the plane were able to make it out, because the plane was sinking fast and she never saw anyone again.'

Daily News Article
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/searchers-recover-wreckage-bodies-of-2-passengers-pilot-still-missing-1.1391770

She said the flight from St. Croix to St. Thomas had appeared to be a normal one with just minor turbulence along the way until she felt the aircraft hit the sea.

She said she felt water rushing into the plane and someone held her and pushed her out of the plane and into the cold dark Caribbean Sea, but she did not believe that the others aboard the plane were able to make it out, because the plane was sinking fast and she never saw anyone again.

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Potential Causes that I've pondered (I am a pilot, not very experienced):
a) Mechanical; instrument failure in pitch black visual conditions or structural failure of some part of a plane. Pilot at his experience/skill level should have been able to recover from an engine failure. Electrical fire.
b) Weather; flew into a thunderstorm at low altitude on Base (approach to airport) and aircraft was slammed into the sea
c) Pilot; medical issue

Thoughts and prayers to friends/family.....and I know friends/family.....we are all heartbroken.

makes ME WANT TO CRY EACH AND EVERY TIME I HEAR ABOUT THIS.