Stephen Morrissey, Ojai California man, not killed in Florida plane crash
One man is dead after a small plane crashed in rural Land O’ Lakes early today, authorities said. Stephen Morrissey was identified as the owner of the plane and lone death in the crash, reports Ojai Valley News.
THIS REPORT IS INCORRECT.
The man killed when a small plane crashed has been identified as a 48-year-old Swiss citizen named Andreas Wendel.
Wendel was from Bassarsdorf, Switzerland and was a pilot for the charter airline Edelweiss Air, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.
He had no relatives in the United States, but his next-of-kin in Switzerland have been notified.
A single engine Cessna went down in a field in Land O’ Lakes Florida killing the only passenger. Debris was scattered for a half-mile after the plane clipped some trees and lost part of the tail. The subsequent fire initiated phone calls to 911.
According to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Doll, the plane was coming from Pensacola. The pilot received clearance to land at Tampa Executive Airport but suddenly dropped off the radar.
No witnesses to the crash have come forward. Air Traffic controllers from Tampa International Airport alerted the FAA to the plane disappearing from radar.
The FAA has the following registration:
Aircraft: CESSNA 172S (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
N-Number: 21750 , Serial Number: 172S9641, Year manufactured: 2004, Airworthiness Date: 05/05/2004
Registrant (Co-Owned): Stephen Morrissey, **************, Ojai, CA 93023, Other Owners: Jennifer Morrissey
Although the plane is registered to Stephen Morrissey of Ojai, Calif., it wasn’t known whether Morrissey was the pilot. There were no passengers.
According to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Doll, the plane was coming from Pensacola. The pilot received clearance to land at Tampa Executive Airport but suddenly dropped off the radar.
No witnesses to the crash have come forward. Air Traffic controllers from Tampa International Airport alerted the FAA to the plane disappearing from radar.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were headed to the scene.
