POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County deputies said a 70-year-old pilot and his 21-year-old grandson will recover from non-life threatening injuries after the small plane they were flying crashed near Bartow.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the small plane crashed on Lake Hancock around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
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Deputies responded on the ground, in the air, and by airboat.
Both males on board survived and will be transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, deputies said.
Video from the scene of the small plane crash, a Piper with tail number N4592X, registered to 70 yr old pilot William Gonzalez Jr of Valrico. He and his passenger/grandson 21 yr old Joseph Berninghaus, are going to be okay. Video taken from PCSO airboat in #Bartow pic.twitter.com/BptS0iZXUF
— Polk County Sheriff (@PolkCoSheriff) September 28, 2018
The small Piper aircraft was registered to pilot William Gonzalez, Jr., 70, of Valrico. His grandson and passenger, 21-year-old Joseph Berninghaus of Tampa was on board.
The two were flying from Boca Raton to Lakeland when the plane went down.
It's not clear why the plane crashed. Deputies said the NTSB and FAA will investigate.
LIVE BREAKING NEWS: Small plane crash on Lake Hancock in BartowPolk County deputies and firefighters are on the scene of a small plane that crashed on Lake Hancock. Two males on board the plane have been sent to the hospital. READ MORE: at.wftv.com/2IoXSh9
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Friday, September 28, 2018
PCSO and @PolkFire are on-scene of a small plane crash on Lake Hancock in #Bartow. Both adult males are okay but will be transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. NTSB & FAA will respond to investigate the crash. pic.twitter.com/GOAfD1l9Cn
— Polk County Sheriff (@PolkCoSheriff) September 28, 2018
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