Plane Crash on CNN..its my cousin

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 11:38 AM3,031

This morning I saw breaking news on CNN of an airplane crash in a lake in Winter Haven and thought about my cousin Susan Sugar and her husband John, both pilots. But, I say to myself, there are a bunch of planes and pilots in Winter Haven, what are the chances its my cousins.

The phone rings, its my mother. My cousin John Sugar and his father were in the plane, not sure which was piloting the plane that crashed in the lake in their back yard. John is alive with facial injuries and still evaluating and his father was air lifted to Tampa.

Prayers to the Sugar family, such wonderful people. They are in Sowal about 4 times a year and always a big part of our huge Thanksgiving festivities here every year.

My mother has been offered to fly with them in this exact plane. Apparantly it is one that is taken apart to be stored. My mother was never comfortable flying in it, so she hasn't. She flies in their other planes though.

Edited Sep 18, '09 · 2:02 AM

Replies

SoWal Insider

Sep 17, '09 · 11:51 AM#2

So sorry to hear this SGG. Hope they are both going to be okay.

SoWal Insider

Sep 17, '09 · 11:56 AM#3

Oh no! Prayers to them. Hope your cousin and his dad will be OK. I found a story that said they were both able to swim to shore. That sounds relatively good.

2 people make it to shore after Winter Haven plane crash

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 11:57 AM#4

Prayers for both.

margarita brocolia

Sep 17, '09 · 11:59 AM#5

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My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.

.

SoWal Insider

Sep 17, '09 · 12:01 PM#6

Prayers for your family!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 17, '09 · 12:05 PM#7

Oh no! Prayers to them. Hope your cousin and his dad will be OK. I found a story that said they were both able to swim to shore. That sounds relatively good.

2 people make it to shore after Winter Haven plane crash

Thank you for that report TFT!!! It's comforting to know that they made it to shore, but the family is reporting the father was unconscious. So I think John must have brought him to shore. Poor John, he must be frantic. Our families are so close.

Knowing, at least that John made it to shore is a relief to me and especially my mother. Thank you again, please keep us posted.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 17, '09 · 12:12 PM#8

This is a little history of my cousin. Susan Sugar is my cousin, she married John 18 years ago when she was a flight attendant, John is an airline pilot.

When they married, John took her last name, thus Capt. John Sugar. John is still an airline pilot flying the overseas route to China. Susan is a pilot as well and currently flies planes for a sky diving company.

They were just here before Labor Day with my Aunt and Uncle and other cousins.

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 12:15 PM#9

OMG! positive thoughts coming your way and to Marge too.

SoWal Insider

Sep 17, '09 · 12:16 PM#10

SGG, keeping them in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated. :wub:

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 17, '09 · 12:27 PM#11

Intersting local history. My mother's maiden name is Sugar. Sugar Dr. in Santa Rosa Beach (off of 98) is named after my mother's side of the family. A local tie to the events unfolding

Edited Sep 18, '09 · 2:07 AM

SoWal Insider

Sep 17, '09 · 12:42 PM#12

More details ... though it is the News Chief and they appear to have gotten the identities mixed up. (Stop me if you don't want me to post what I find. Don't want the news reports to get in the way of the thoughts and prayers for your family. :wub:

)

Seaplane with 2 aboard goes down in Lake Otis | NewsChief.com | News Chief | Winter Haven, FL

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 12:44 PM#13

hugs and hopes coming your way SGG.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 17, '09 · 1:00 PM#14

Thank you TFT...it's all the info we are getting right now. My Aunt has a 3 hour drive to get to Susan. Susan had just picked her sister up at the airport, they were having a big party for a friend of theirs tonight who is getting married.

We were not sure which one was piloting, it appears John Sugar was, but then they seem to have the injuries mixed up between the two. Also, reporting on CNN states that rescuers brough the men to shore. But please keep info coming. Thank you so much!

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 1:25 PM#15

Wishing them both a quick and full recovery, Seagrovegirl.

Beach Lover

Sep 17, '09 · 1:31 PM#16

Well wishes to your family.

Beach Lover

Sep 17, '09 · 1:32 PM#17

Prayers for them and your entire family.

SoWal Expert

Sep 17, '09 · 1:32 PM#18

Prayers for your family sgg :wub:

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 1:34 PM#19

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

hmmmm......can't remember

Sep 17, '09 · 1:40 PM#20

Prayers...I'm so sorry you're going through this!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 17, '09 · 1:48 PM#21

Thank you for the prayers, I think we are going to need them. Info is slow right now, but will keep you posted as soon as a I hear anything.

SWGB

Sep 17, '09 · 2:06 PM#22

Let us know if you need anything.

Beach Fanatic

Sep 17, '09 · 2:53 PM#23

I am sorry that you guys are getting all the conflicting reports on CNN. Their rating (IMO) went down drastically after the false reports on 9/11/09

SoWal Insider

Sep 17, '09 · 5:20 PM#24

Sorry to hear this SGG. Best wishes coming your way for your family.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 17, '09 · 5:58 PM#25

John Sugar is in surgery to repair a broken nose and facial stuff. His Father John Curtis is in serious condition with a callapsed lung and is intubated and has possible head injuries. Still not sure how they made it to shore, but the latest update is that after the crash the plane took on water and they were assisted by some nearby boaters.