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At least five reported dead after plane crashes in Lake Okeechobee after taking off from Tampa

Posted at 8:04 PM, Mar 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-08 22:15:12-05

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says at least five people are dead following a plane crash in Florida near Pahokee airport at 3800 S.R. 715.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said a twin-engine Piper aircraft went down in Lake Okeechobee while approaching the Pahokee Airport at around 3:30 p.m.

The aircraft when down just north of the airport, about 400 yards from shore.

The flight departed from Tampa International Airport, according to the FAA. Officials at the airport said the plane was at Sheltair Aviation's hangar.

PBSO said one person was seen swimming away from the airplane, but has not been located.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue divers are currently searching in the water, the sheriff's office said.

The FAA issued an Alert Notice triggering the search for the twin-engine Piper Aircraft.