2 people airlifted to hospital after small plane crash

The two people who were airlifted to the hospital after their plane crashed at Lake Wales Municipal Airport late Wednesday morning have been identified.

The instructor pilot, 32-year-old Anthony Arzave of Lake Mary, and his student, 26-year-old Sheng-yen Chen of China, were inside the single-engine plane.

Chen is in critical condition and Arzave is stable.

Video shows the plane’s parachute deployed, helping the plane land near the Lake Wales Municipal Airport in a marshy area.

A lieutenant with the Lake Wales Police Department said both men suffered serious injuries.

According to officials, the Cirrus SR-20 went down a little before 11:00 a.m.

“At the present time, Aerosim is gathering all available information on the condition of the crew, status of the aircraft and potential causes of this incident”.

Police are working with the FAA and NTSB during this investigation.