Hamilton County is mourning the loss of four people who died in a single-engine plane crash Wednesday night just off the coast of Venice, Fla., which is just south of Sarasota.
Jeff Lumpkin, 64, and wife Patty Lumpkin, 68, both of Fishers, and Rick Beaver, 60, and wife Bethe Beaver, 57, both of Noblesville.
According to the Venice, Fla., Police Department, at 9:38 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, police responded to 1600 S. Harbor Drive on report of a plane crash. Several witnesses were on the pier who saw the crash and called 911.
Jeff Lumpkin was piloting a single-engine Piper PA-32R with the other three on board.
According to Venice Police Captain Andy Leisenring, the plane left an airport in St. Petersburg, Fla., and arrived at the Venice airport at 5 p.m. After dinner with friends at Sharky’s On the Pier, they left the Venice airport at 9:35 p.m. Wednesday night. The plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico west of Venice shortly after takeoff on the return trip to St. Petersburg.
Jeff Lumpkin and Rick Beaver were found by emergency crews Wednesday night. Crews also found a debris field approximately one-half mile west of the Venice airport. Authorities were unable to send a dive team to look for the plane or other passengers until Thursday morning.
At 11:56 a.m. Thursday, divers located the main part of the aircraft and both female passengers at a depth of 23 feet.
As of Thursday afternoon, Venice Police were leading the investigation. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board had already been notified.
Those assisting Venice Police included Venice Fire Department, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department, Sarasota Police, Florida Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Venice District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office.
There was a similar plane crash off the coast of Venice in December 2022. As of Thursday afternoon, officials said it was too early in the investigation to determine if there was any connection between the two accidents.
To early, to draw a quick or finale conclusion. on what may have caused the accident.
mechanical / pilot error /pilot medical condition needs to be considered. With all the news speculation just to sell the advertisement or satisfy the boss who knows??? the NTSB will issue the probable cause. As A Retired Pilot My heart feelings go out to the families.
Bob S.