Small plane hits roof before crashing into Daytona Beach retention pond, officials say

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A small plane hit the roof of two Daytona Beach homes before crashing into a nearby retention pond Saturday afternoon, city officials said.

Daytona Beach police and firefighters are investigating the crash, which occurred around 3 p.m., along the 100 block of Campanello Ct.

Officials said two people were on board the flight at the time of the crash. Both were transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, firefighters said.

Police said Namoon Lee, 34, a flight student and Patrick Halpin, 35, a flight instructor with ATP Flight School, were in the plane and that Halpin was the pilot.

Police did not say who owns the plane.

On the way down, the plane hit two homes, clipping one but taking a large chunk of the roof out of the other, leaving a large hole, firefighters said.

No one inside the home was injured, firefighters said.

The WFTV weather radar showed storms in the area of Daytona Beach at the time of the crash.

Namoon and Halpin said the flight was going normally until bad weather happened in the area. Both said heavy winds forced the plane to the ground and they were unable to regain altitude.

This is a developing story. Stay with Channel 9 for updates. 

Cox Media Group