Four people have been killed in a horror plane crash when their aircraft plunged into the sea off the coast of Florida.
According to police the four, which included two married couples, were on board the small plane when it went down half a mile off Venice Fishing Pier at around 9.30pm on Wednesday.
The pilot was William 'Jeff' Lumpkin, 64, and the other victims, Patricia 'Patty' Lumpkin, 68, Ricky Beaver, 60, and Elizabeth 'Bethe' Beaver, 57.
Police said the two married couples from Indiana flew to Venice to meet some friends and eat dinner at a local restaurant.
Shortly after the foursome took off from Venice Airport but their plane crashed about half a mile offshore.
According to Venice Police Department, rescue crews found debris from the crashed plane as well as the bodies of Mr Lumpkin and Mr Beaver on Wednesday night.
The police search teams continued overnight.
The bodies of the two women were found on Thursday alongside the main body of the plane.
Earlier on Thursday the Federal Aviation Administration had said they believed there were only two people on board the aircraft.
The pier was blocked off while recovery efforts were underway.
The group were flying aboard the Piper Cherokee plane which left St.Pete and arrived in Venice around 5pm.
They had dinner at Sharky’s on Venice Pier and left around 9.35pm but crashed soon after takeoff.
Witnesses on the Venice Pier called 911 after watching the plane plunge into the ocean.
As news of the tragic accident spread, tributes began to pour in for the much love couples from Indianapolis.
Patty Lumpkin was a local realtor at Carpenter Realtors. On February 12 she posted a picture of her and husband Jeff sitting in a plane.
Patty had previously shared a picture of her and Jeff on a plane, when asked in a comment she replied: "Our plane, Jeff’s a long time pilot".
Police said there were no weather anomalies this night of the crash and it was a "beautiful night".
As news of the four people's deaths spread, tributes began to pour in.
Local news anchor Angela Ganote said: "I first met Bethe probably 33 years ago. Always full of joy. Owner of Elite Cheer and Dance. She touched thousands of lives.
"This is devastating."
The Lumpkins were from Fishers, Indiana, and the Beavers were from Noblesville, Indiana.
Bethe Beaver was a much loved founder of the Indiana Elite All Star Cheer & Dance.
One heartbroken tirbute posted on Facebook read: "Heartbroken doesn’t even describe how I’m feeling. The world lost an amazing woman who has touched thousands of lives. I am blesssed to have known you, Bethe Horine Beaver."
Bethe often posted pictures of herself and husband Ricky happy smiling.
Another person commented: "Bethe and Rick were some of the best people I’ve ever known, and I’m so thankful my daughters got to know her and be coached by her.
"She was so much to so many people."
This is the second deadly crash of a plane leaving Venice Airport in four months. Then a family of three were killed including a 12-year-old girl.
Venice police Capt. Andy Leisenring called it “unusual” to have two plane crashes occur in that short period of time but said it was too early to conclude whether or not there was a connection between them.
The Airport Director for Venice Airport was also grilled in the wake of this latest crash.
Mark Cervasio emphasised he does not have the power to restrict who takes off from the airport.
He described how he felt when news of the latest crash came in as ""Gut-wrenching. Gut-wrenching. What else can we say?"
Ryan Beaver, Rick's cousin said: "My cousin Rick was a great man and was always there for those that needed help. He and Bethe are in Heaven…"
