SMALL PLANE CRASH-FLORIDA
2 killed in Florida small plane crash
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) Federal aviation officials are investigating a small plane crash in central Florida that killed two passengers.
The ultralight plane crashed before noon Sunday at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport. Police say the pilot of the Airborne Windsport experimental aircraft was performing touch and go maneuvers when the plane hit the ground, flipped and slid almost 200 feet.
Police say a wind gust may have played a factor in the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation and Safety Board will determine the cause of the crash in the city about 40 miles southwest of Orlando.
Police say a woman passenger died in the crash and a man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
DEPUTY INJURED
Lee Co. deputy injured in crash with another car
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) A Florida Highway Patrol report says a man crashed into a Lee County deputy as he was responding to an emergency.
The report says 63-year-old Nicholas Marciano was approaching an intersection early Sunday morning in Fort Myers when the marked cruiser stopped and activated the car’s siren before driving further. Marciano collided with the deput’s car.
Both were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The FHP report shows that Marciano faces a charge of failing to yield to emergency vehicles.
SWAMP BUGGY DEATH
Man dies after swamp buggy sinks in pond
MYAKKA CITY, Fla. (AP) Authorities say a man died after his homemade swamp buggy sank in a Manatee County pond.
A sheriff’s office press release says 34-year-old James Dixon was riding the swamp buggy Saturday night with several other people when the driver went into the pond. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that while sinking, the buggy capsized and all of the passengers except for Dixon were able to get out.
Dixon’s body was recovered from the pond by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.
BARGE RUNS AGROUND
Barge runs aground off Cocoa Beach
COCOA BEACH, Fla. (AP) The U.S. Coast Guard is on Cocoa Beach where a large barge beached itself.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office says the barge was being towed Sunday when the line snapped, possibly because of rough weather. The barge ran aground on the beach.
No injuries were reported.
AUTISTIC BOY’S CHICKENS KILLED
Autistic boy’s chickens killed days after reprieve
DEBARY, Fla. (AP) A Volusia County sheriff’s office report says four chickens used as therapy for an autistic boy were killed just days after the family received a reprieve from the city.
Ashleigh Hart told The Daytona Beach News-Journal the heads of the chickens were cut clean off Saturday in DeBary. Her son, 2-year-old J.J., would open up and talk when the chickens were with him. The family was cited because the chickens were not allowed under city codes, but they had recently received a 60-day reprieve from the city’s code enforcement board delaying the potential $100-per-day fine.
Hart says she had no problems with neighbors and doesn’t know who could have attacked the animals. A deputy’s report says most of the chicken heads were not found.
US AIRWAYS-FLIGHT DIVERTED
US Airways Tampa-Phoenix flight diverts to NM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A US Airways flight from Tampa, Fla., to Phoenix has made a precautionary landing in Albuquerque, N.M., after the pilots reported a crack in the plane’s windshield.
Airline spokesman Davien Anderson says the Airbus A319 did not lose cabin pressure and the landing was routine. The pilots did not declare an emergency.
US Airways Flight 265 was carrying 119 passengers and took off just after 7:30 a.m. Eastern time Sunday with a planned arrival at about 9 a.m. MST in Phoenix.
Anderson says US Airways is sending another plane to bring the passengers to Phoenix.
Article source: http://www2.wjtv.com/news/2012/oct/15/latest-florida-news-sports-business-and-entertainm-ar-1955137/
