Brevard Sheriff’s Office Identifies Pilot Killed In Plane That Crashed Into Indian River

By  //  September 2, 2015

identified as david gibbs of orlando

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot of the small plane that crashed into the Indian River on Wednesday, August 26 as 59-year-old David Gibbs of Orlando. (BCSO image)
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot of the small plane that crashed into the Indian River on Wednesday, August 26 as 59-year-old David Gibbs of Orlando. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot of the small plane that crashed into the Indian River on Wednesday, August 26 as 59-year-old David Gibbs of Orlando.

Gibbs, an experienced pilot who was on a flight from Orlando to Titusville, was killed when his plane crashed as he was approaching the Space Coast Regional Airport.

The cause of the crash has not been determined and is still under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.

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UPDATE: AUGUST 27, 2015 – 12:30 P.M.

Late yesterday evening, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office assumed the primary role of search and recovery for a missing aircraft after the Space Coast Regional Airport control tower received a distress communication.

Members from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Aviation, Dive, and Marine units along with members from FWC and the US Coast Guard have resumed the water borne search and recovery efforts this morning.

According to Cpl. Dave Jacobs of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the search teams are coordinating their efforts with investigators from the FAA.

Cpl. Dave Jacobs
Cpl. Dave Jacobs

“The debris field covers a large area and investigators are recovering and identifying items associated with the wreckage,” said Cpl. Jacobs in a release.

NTSB Investigators are responding to the scene and expected to arrive this afternoon to assist in the investigation.

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UPDATE: AUGUST 26, 2015 – 7:43 P.M.

Brevard County Fire Rescue reports debris located in Indian River, but have not confirmed it’s the aircraft. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office dive team is en route.

UPDATE: AUGUST 26, 2015 – 6:56 P.M.

Brevard County Fire Rescue reports that agencies now in the search include  Titusville Fire and Emergency Services, the Titusville Police Department, Brevard County Sheriff’s Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Coast Guard, KSC Security, Space Coast Regional Airport Fire/EM, Civil Air and EELs.

The aerial and ground search area for lost aircraft includes the Indian River and Banana River. The flight plan indicates that there was only the pilot on board.

BCFR reports that the lost flight originated from Orlando Executive Airport and attempted, but aborted, landing at Space Coast Regional before losing contact in severe weather.

ORIGINAL POST: 

BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – Units of the Titusville Fire and Emergency Services report they are currently searching for a possible missing aircraft in a wooded area north of Space Coast Regional Airport.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission units are also assisting Titusville Fire with the search, which is in a wooded area.

STAY TUNED TO SPACECOASTDAILY.COM FOR UPDATES

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