PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday a flight instructor and private registered pilot performing a "touch and go landing" were killed when their single-engine aircraft crashed into a lake at North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport the day before.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the victims are Stephen Taylor, 59, of Hollywood, and Gojko Damjanic, 58, of Fort Lauderdale.
NTSB investigator Daniel Boggs said the men were practicing taking off and landing a Piper PA28, using their instruments to control the aircraft, just before 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, when the plane crashed into a marshy area at the end of the runway.
"They may just come in and practice a landing. And they'll turn around and go back to the runway and take off. And they're just practicing takeoff and landings. Most critical part of any flight," Boggs said.
Damjanic worked in admissions at Berklee College of Music as an international recruitment counselor.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Gojko Damjanic's tragic passing," said Damien S. Bracken, dean of admissions at Berklee College of Music, in an email. "Gojko played a key role in Berklee's international recruitment efforts for over a decade. He was deeply admired by his peers and leadership alike, with a sophisticated and human-centered approach to his work. Our sincerest condolences go out to Gojko's family. He will be deeply missed."
Damjanic's wife, Nada Selmic, posted a tribute to Facebook, saying he had "a deep passion for aviation. He loved flying and found immense joy in the skies. He was flying his last flight before his instrumental rating exam when the tragic accident occurred. This passion for planes and flying was a significant part of his life, and he pursued it with the same dedication and enthusiasm that he brought to his professional career."
WATCH: NTSB gives update on fatal plane crash at North County Airport
She also said her husband was a man of integrity, kindness and warmth.
"He was known for his infectious enthusiasm, his ability to inspire those around him, and his tireless dedication to helping others achieve their dreams," she wrote. "We will remember him as a loving and devoted husband, a caring and supportive father, and a loyal friend who always put others first."
Alexander Sič, who identified as Damjanic's nephew, said his "funcle" inspired him.
"Thanks for making me believe its never too late to do what you truly love!" he wrote on Facebook. "What comforts me is knowing you left this world doing what you loved the most - flying an airplane."
WPTV spoke with Taylor's son-in-law, who said his family is all together digesting the news. He said he was "a hell of a guy" over the phone to WPTV's Ethan Stein.
INVESTIGATORS LOOK INTO THE PLANE
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was a Piper PA28 built in 1979. It had a valid certification, which was issued in January 2020 and doesn't expire until 2027.
Paul Sanchez, the owner of Sanchez Aviation Training Services in Boca Raton, owns the plane. He told WPTV that the plane is rented out to people.
Sanchez also said the data recorder on board will give investigators specifics about the plane's flight history every five seconds. He also said there's a way to get flight data every 16 seconds if the data isn't recovered.
"It is a very sad day for two families. These are people who have been in aviation for a fair amount of time. It’s sad we lost them," Sanchez said in a statement to WPTV.
Earlier on Thursday, crews used a large crane to remove the wreckage of the Piper.
Aerial video from WPTV Chopper 5 showed the crane first lifting a wing from aircraft — which had been sheared off during Wednesday afternoon's fatal crash — out of the murky water, then setting it on a flat-bed truck.
WATCH: Crews remove wreckage of plane at North County Airport
The rest of the white plane could be seen sticking out of the water with an oil sheen around it.
Minutes later, crews used a boat to tow the wreckage to shore, then lifted it out using the crane.
Before Wednesday's fatal crash, Boggs said the plane had been a long cross-country flight lesson, most recently starting in Pompano Beach before heading to Sarasota, then Melbourne, and finally West Palm Beach for "touch and go landings."
The Piper will now be taken to an aircraft salvage facility where investigators will examine the engine, air frame, pilot qualifications, and weather, among other factors. It could take up to 18 months before the investigation is completed, Boggs said.
"Aircraft are maintained up to a much, much higher standard than any automobile or boat or anything like that. So aviation is very safe to fly," Boggs said.
Crews from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue pulled the men out of the water following Wednesday's crash, then took them to a local hospital, where they were tragically pronounced dead.
Witnesses to the crash or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.
