Polk County Plane Crash Pilot ID’d

BARTOW, FL — As federal authorities continue to investigate what caused a plane to crash into a Bartow church’s parking lot Sunday afternoon, officials have released more information.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot who was pulled from the wreckage is Robert Silva, 61, of Jensen Beach. Silva suffered serious injuries in the crash and was airlifted to Lakeland Regional. The sheriff’s office said Silva underwent surgery and was last listed in stable condition.

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The crash that led to Silva’s injuries occurred around noon on June 11 as an estimated 300 congregants were worshipping inside Bartow’s Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. People inside the Griffin Road church reported hearing a “loud bang,” a Sunday email from Polk County Fire Rescue said. A congregant ran outside and discovered the crashed plane in the parking lot.

Priscilla Sykes and Queen Morris, both registered nurses, rushed outside to render aid to the male pilot, fire rescue said. Both Morris and Sykes were assisting Silva when fire rescue arrived on the scene.

No other injuries were reported, but officials say six vehicles were damaged when the single-engine craft crashed.

The crash investigation has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. No further information is available at this time.

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Photos courtesy of Polk County Fire Rescue