Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Clearwater Airpark – 1000 North Hercules Avenue Clearwater

Zephyrhills Municipal Airport – 39450 South Avenue, Zephyrhills

Marc Allen Benedict (Uninjured Pilot)
DOB:03/20/1956
Address:1972 Hastings Drive, Clearwater

Gregory Guinee (Uninjured Passenger)
DOB: 09/16/1962
Address:1972 Hastings Drive, Clearwater

What:
Pinellas County Deputies are currently assisting the FAA and NTSB with a plane crash investigation that occurred near the Clearwater Airpark Airport.  

When:
The crash occurred at approximately 10:23 a.m. on November 19, 2017.

Where:
The plane crash occurred at 1817 North Keene Road, Clearwater.

 Near the Clearwater Airpark Airport 1000 North Hercules Avenue Clearwater.

Why/How:
Pinellas County Deputies are currently assisting the FAA and NTSB with a plane crash investigation that occurred at 1817 North Keene Road, Clearwater.

Deputies first received reports of the plane crash this morning at approximately 10:23 a.m. Two Deputies were responding to an unrelated call for service, in the vicinity and witnessed the plane crash.

According to the Pilot 61-year-old Marc Allen Benedict at approximately 9:00, the single-engine Rockwell International aircraft 112-A piloted by Benedict along with his passenger 55-year-old Gregory Guinee had taken off from Clearwater Airpark located at 1000 North Hercules Avenue Clearwater, flew to the  Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, 39450 South Avenue, Zephyrhills Florida.

Deputies say after refueling the aircraft at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, they attempted to return back to the Clearwater Airpark at approximately 10:00 a.m. The pilot reported to deputies he believed there to be engine trouble while in the air over the area of Sunset Point Road and Belcher Road area in Clearwater.

Benedict told investigators he did not believe he could make it back to the Clearwater Airpark and began looking for a safe place to land. Benedict said he saw a deputy near the intersection of Keene Road and Sunset Point Road. Benedict said he then observed what appeared to be an opening and attempted to land the plane on Keene Road. While landing, Benedict reported the pilot side, (left wing) caught a tree causing the plane to spin and crash at 1817 North Keene Road, Clearwater.

Investigators say both the pilot Benedict and his passenger Guinee reported no injuries and refused medical treatment.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted by the FAA and NTSB. It has not yet been determined what caused the plane to crash.

The investigation continues.