5 People Killed When Plane Crashes Into Lake Okeechobee

PAHOKEE, FL -- Five people were killed Friday when a twin-engine Piper aircraft crashed into Lake Okeechobee. The crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. the plan was on its approach to nearby Pahokee Airport, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Federal Aviation Administration.

"The flight departed from Tampa International Airport," a spokesperson for the FAA told Patch. "The FAA is investigating. However, the National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation and will release updates."

The sheriff's office said the aircraft crashed about 400 yards away from the shoreline. "One individual was observed swimming away from the airplane," the sheriff's office said, adding that the swimmer was not located.

The five bodies were recovered from the aircraft fuselage by Marine Unit deputies of the sheriff's office as well as Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel.

Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida.