Investigators sifting through Palatka plane crash wreckage

Family and friends are grieving the loss of a North Florida couple killed in a plane crash.

Investigators are sifting through the wreckage for anything that could reveal how this plane crash could happen.

The Florida Highway Patrol released the identities of the victims this morning. They're named as David and Kimberly Niblett, both 44. We're told the married couple flew in from Gainesville, Florida and stopped for gas.

Action News Jax spoke to witness Warren Cilliers.

MORE: Married couple killed in Palatka plane crash, authorities say | Photos: Florida couple killed in Palatka plane crash

"It’s something that you never want to see, and it just, it was very loud and then with the impact it got very quiet," said Cilliers.

Now investigators are exploring what could have caused this crash.

“We have to slowly disassemble the airplane,” said Dan Boggs, investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board.

NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administraion, and the makers of the plane, Piper Aircraft, are sifting through the wreckage of the PA24 Comanche for answers.

"We’re going to take it back to a salvage facility and really dive down into the nuts and bolts of it and figure out what’s going on,” said Boggs.

Thursday's accident is the fourth incident either at or near the Palatka airport this year, but it’s the first fatal accident.

NTSB says it’s aware of the pattern.

“We look at that and we look at that very closely,” said Boggs.

Palatka airport manager John Youell praised those who ran to the wreckage.

"First of all, I’m very proud of the first responders and local officials for how (the) tragedy was handled," said Youell.

Youell tells Action News Jax their fuel suppliers lifted a brief suspension on fuel sales after their fuel data was tested. Action News Jax was there when the airport was given the green light.

Investigators are taking a closer look at the fuel system and more.

“We’ll be looking at  the electrical systems, the mechanical, the flaps, we’re going to be looking at that as we kind of peel back the onion,” said Boggs.

For now, the families of David and Kimberly Niblett will wait for answers.

A preliminary report is expected in about two weeks. The final report could take eight months to a year to finish.

Meanwhile, pilots reflect on a calling they love. Youell is a pilot himself.

"We know every time we leave the ground that there is a chance of something like that happening," said Youell. "But it’s a risk we are willing to take."

Action News Jax spoke to David’s parents this morning. They tell us they’re processing what’s happened and said they’ll be in contact with Kimberly’s parents tonight.

Cox Media Group