TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two men killed when twin-engine plane that crashed during takeoff at a small Tampa airport have been identified as business partners and Air Force Academy roommates.
The Cessna was engulfed in flames after the crash Friday at Peter O. Knight Airport. Friends and relatives identified 54-year-old Louis Caporicci of Tampa as the pilot and 55-year-old Kevin Carreno of St. Petersburg as the passenger.
Federal Aviation Administration records show that both the victims were experienced aviators.
Caporicci was a retired Air Force colonel. After finishing his service, Carreno continued to recruit for the Air Force Academy.
The airport closed after the crash and reopened Saturday.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators say another plane took off at the same time but it wasn't clear whether that contributed to the crash.
