Two die in Florida ultralight plane crash

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WHITE HAVEN, Fla., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A strong gust of wind may have contributed to the crash of an ultralight plane that killed a man and woman in Winter Haven, Fla., police said.

Susanne Broadbelt, 60, and Gary T. Lawrence, 61, were practicing takeoff and landing maneuvers at Winter Haven Municipal Airport Sunday morning when their two-seat Airborne Windsport crashed, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Broadbelt died at the scene. Lawrence died a short while later at a hospital.

Police said the plane hit the ground, possibly after hit by a gust of wind, then flipped over and slid 168 feet.

It was not clear who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families as they endure the realization of losing their loved ones," Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester said.

The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating.