Married couple killed in plane crash in Palatka

Jacksonville, FL — A married couple from the Ocala area died when their single-engine plane crashed during takeoff at the Palatka Municipal Airport on Thursday evening.

Kimberly and David Niblett, both 44, died on scene.  The Piper PA-24 was attempting to take off when it crashed in the grass on the left side of Runway 17, according to the FAA.

A witness described seeing the plane get about 100 to 150 feet off the ground before it stalled and fell to the ground.

Airport officials said the couple had stopped in Palatka for fuel.

There have been four other plane incidents near the Palatka airport already this year, according to Action News Jax.

NTSB Air Safety Investigator Dan Boggs said it will take a couple of days to disassemble the plane, and then in two weeks the agency will publish a preliminary report. A final report typically takes 8-12 months.

Boggs said he is aware of four previous plane crashes in Putnam County, and the agency will also look at trends to determine if there is any kind of safety issues or recommendations that can be issued to manufacturers and/or pilots.

The plane was manufactured in 1959, and the NTSB investigator said it was very well maintained.  The pilot, David Niblett, was described as being very experienced.