DELAND, Fla. — A Publix grocery store in DeLand that was heavily damaged during a fatal plane crash reopened for business Thursday.
For the first time, shoppers are back inside a newly reopened Publix.
"I am thrilled. I don't have to drive all the way out to the other Publix," said Joy Robedee.
A single-engine home-built plane dove into the store back in April, leaving a gaping hole in the roof.
"I am thankful for very few lose of life very few injuries," said store manager Todd Serwanski.
The repairs from the crash cost roughly $800,000.
"Something fell through the ceiling or something, and there was a huge explosion!" said a 911 caller.
"The engine sounded like it was sputtering and the next thing you know he went down nose first," another 911 caller told the operator.
At first the crash was considered a miracle, knowing everyone survived, but last month, the plane's 60-year-old pilot, Kim Presbrey, died due to complications from his third-degree burns.
"Yeah, Publix Supermarket's on fire! I see the flames shooting up on top of the building," said another 911 caller.
According to a preliminary report, the plane started in Illinois, stopped in Tennessee to refuel, and then again in DeLand because the transponder broke, which is used to identify an aircraft. Presbrey and his passenger, Thomas Rhoades, were on their way to Sanford.
Rhoades and three people who were inside the Publix were injured, but survived.
Investigators are still trying to determine why the plane took a nose dive shortly after taking off from the DeLand airport.
Publix held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning.
The store employees and city officials lit a candle and said prayers for the injured and for Presbrey.
However, Thursday was not about the investigation, the message was "move forward," and that's exactly what everyone did.
"Welcome back to your Publix," said DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar.
The NTSB still has about six more months to investigate the crash.
WFTV
