HARDEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
WAUCHULA, FLORIDA
PRESS RELEASE
April 3, 2006
Major Claude Harris
For Immediate Release
(863) 773-0304 ext. 217
FAX (863) 773-4593
PLANE CRASH
On March 31, 2006 at approximately 9:25 a.m. a Gyrocopter type aircraft crashed in a remote pasture approximately 12 miles west of Zolfo Springs in western Hardee County. The crash was reported by a 911 call to the Hardee County Sheriff's Office dispatch. The aircraft caught fire upon impact causing a brush fire. Investigators estimated approximately 30 acres of pasture and scrub was burned before the fire was contained. No homes were in jeopardy from the fire. Preliminary information indicates the aircraft was attending the 36th Annual Benson Days Fly-In being held at the Wauchula Airport and was accompanied by other aircraft flying cross-county to Venice, FL. The Fly-In event dates are from March 29, 2006 through Sunday April 2, 2006.
The two male occupants of the aircraft were deceased at the scene. A positive medical identification has not been made however preliminary identifications have been made based on information obtained from witnesses who knew the occupants and saw them in the aircraft when it crashed. Next of kin have been notified based on this information. An investigation is underway by the FAA to determine the cause of the crash.
This is a tragic incident and we are sympathetic to the victims, their families and to the other attendees of the Fly-In.
Pilot:
Passenger:
Marvin Terry Eiland
William F. Finnegan
W/M 59 years of age
W/M 62 years of age
Crystal River, Florida
Straunton, Illinois