Flight instructor, passenger killed in Volusia County plane crash

A plane crashed in a wooded area killing two people on board in Osteen on Wednesday, according to Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

The crash was reported to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday after the plane sent an emergency signal to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

Around 7 p.m., Air One located the plane about a mile north of the end of Lopez Road, east of Lake Ashby, and guided deputies to the location through thick vegetation and swamp.

Because the downed airplane was heavily damaged and upside down, and it was impossible to immediately confirm the number of occupants.

It was initially believed only one person was on board, but it was later reported that two people, a flight instructor and a passenger were in the plane when it took off from Spruce Creek Fly-In around 4:30 p.m., according to Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

The plane is a single-engine MXR Technologies MX2 out of Tybee Island, Georgia.

The names of the deceased are not being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

The cause and circumstances of the crash will be determined by the FAA and NTSB.