for immediate release
June 22, 2004

N E W S   R E L E A S E

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office continues to maintain security at the scene of an airplane crash in the Baker area.

The victims have been identified as Jack Harvey Nyce, age 66 (7-24-1937), of Fresno, California; and Robert Thomajan, age 63 (5-4-1941), of Austin, Texas.

The two were killed when their plane crashed yesterday afternoon (Monday afternoon) in a muddy and heavily wooded area off Old River Road in northwest Okaloosa County. The plane, a twin engine Piper Aztec owned by Nyce Flight Services of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, was westbound when it vanished from radar screens at Eglin Air Force Base a few minutes before 3:00 o'clock yesterday (Monday) afternoon. Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies were notified approximately one hour later that a resident of the area had discovered apparent crash debris near her home.

Officials of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been on scene as they begin an investigation into the crash.

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for more information contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer

(850) 651-7420

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