Four Dead in Florida After Two Small Planes Collide Over Lake

Authorities say the midair collision occurred Tuesday afternoon over Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven. All of the victims have been publicly identified.

March 9, 2023

Four people were killed when two small planes collided midair in central Florida.

According to CBS News, the incident occurred around 2 p.m. Tuesday over Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven, a small city located about 50 miles east of Tampa. Authorities say the crash involved a Piper J-3 Cub seaplane and a Cherokee Piper 161 fixed-wing plane. One was found partially submerged in the lake, while the other was located about 21 feet under water.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there were two people aboard each aircraft, and none survived. The victims have been identified as 24-year-old Faith Irene Baker, a pilot and flight instructor with Sunrise Aviation; 19-year-old Zachary Jean Mace, a student at Polk State College; 67-year-old Randall Elbert Crawford of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and 78-year-old Louis C. Defazio of Fredricksburg, Texas.

Investigators said Baker and Mace were aboard the Cherokee Piper 161, while Crawford and Defazio were aboard the Piper J-3 Cub.

“My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who were killed in today’s crash,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “The NTSB and FAA will be investigating the cause and circumstances of the collision. Please keep the families in your prayers during this difficult and stressful time.”