Panicked Callers Flood 911 After Plane Crashes Into Fla. Publix
ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) -- Five people continue to recover Tuesday after a small experimental plane crashed through the roof of a Publix supermarket in DeLand, about 40 miles north of Orlando.
Luke Schiada, an NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator told reporters Tuesday the plane was a Seawind 3000 experimental aircraft.
"It's an amphibious airplane which basically means it can land and take off both on land and on water," said Schiada.
The plane can seat up to 4 people but only two were in it Monday when it crashed into the roof of the supermarket around 7:20 p.m. Monday, April 2.
Initial reports showed the plane had mechanical problems, but there was no black box on board.
Because much of the plane is melted and scattered around the store, it could take months before federal investigators figure out the exact cause of the crash.
Also Tuesday, officials released emergency dispatch tapes which captured the panic as witnesses called in reports of the downed plane and smoke billowing from the roof of the supermarket.
In one 911 call, a man is heard yelling "Get out! Get out!"
WEB VIDEO EXTRA: 911 Calls Released In Publix Plane Crash
Callers said the plane showed signs of trouble moments before it hit the roof.
Both people on the plane were seriously injured along with one person in the store. Two others in the store suffered minor injuries. All of the injuries are burn related, according to Schiada.
Aviation investigators plan to begin moving the remains of the wreckage on Tuesday. There's not much left of it. "The majority of the plane was consumed by the fire," said Schiada.
The interior of the supermarket also suffered major damage.
"The majority of the wreckage spans between two aisles, however, several additional aisles have been compromised by fire."
The plane encountered problems shortly after taking off from the DeLand Municipal Airport, less than two miles from the shopping center.
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