Police have released the identities of the two persons killed in an experimental aircraft crash at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport, Gilbert Field.
60-year-old Susanne Broadbelt, of Zephryrhills and 61-year-old Gary Lawrence, of Inverness, perished on Sunday, when an Airborne Windsport experimental aircraft Lawrence was piloting crashed. Police say, the aircraft was performing touch and go maneuvers it hit the ground, flipped and slid approximately 168 feet.
Police say, Broadbelt died at the scene of the crash. Lawrence was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he died later from his injuries.
While a full investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted by Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation and Safety Board, wind gust might have played a role, police say. Wind gust in the range of 30-35 mph was reported around the time of the crash just before 11:30 a.m., on Sunday.
