Some details from Florida Highway Patrol, the investigating agency in the plane crash:
A Piper Lance, single engine plane was attempting to take off from Marathon Airport traveling north on runway 7. According to one of the passengers, as they lifted off, the plane was caught by a gust of wind causing the plane to be blown over into the tree line on the west side of the runway. DEP was notified due to a 90 gallon aviation fuel spill. The FAA was responding from Homestead. The airport is still closed, however, the plane is well off the runway and not a hazard but emergency vehicles are still tending to the plane and fuel leak.
2 passengers and the pilot were airlifted to Ryder Trauma in Miami, with serious injuries.
Pilot: Roch A. D Aoust, 65, Panama City Beach, Fl
Right Front: Derrick H. Kelley, 53, Auburndale, Fl
Right Rear: Danny A. Gilileo, 49, Auburndale, Fl
Left Rear: Tony R. Lewis, 60, Lakeland, Fl (Not airlifted, minor injuries)