A plane crash in a wooded area in Osteen is believed to have killed two people Wednesday evening, and the FAA and NTSB are continuing a crash investigation today.

The crash was reported to the Sheriff’s Office shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday after the plane sent an emergency signal to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Around 7 p.m., Air One located the plane about a mile north of the end of Lopez Road in Osteen, east of Lake Ashby, and guided deputies to the location through thick vegetation and swamp.

Because the downed airplane was heavily damaged and upside down, and it was impossible to immediately confirm the number of occupants. It was initially believed only one person was on board, but it was later reported that two people (a flight instructor and passenger) were in the plane when it took off from Spruce Creek Fly-In around 4:30 p.m.

The occupants of the plane were positively identified as pilot/flight instructor Miroslav D. Velickovich of Tybee Island, Ga., and passenger Miguel Duarte of the Peruvian Air Force. They were conducting flight training exercises.

The plane is a single-engine MXR Technologies MX2 out of Tybee Island, Ga.

The cause and circumstances of the crash will be determined as a result of the FAA/NTSB investigation.

The FAA/NTSB investigation of the crash is ongoing.

— Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations, Andrew Gant