Man and Woman Killed in Louisiana Small Plane Crash Identified, Authorities Say

Authorities have identified the two people who were onboard a small plane that left no survivors when it crashed near a highway in Louisiana.  

On Wednesday, April 2, at around 8:30 p.m. local time, the 1976 Cessna 210 L aircraft owned by Southern Seaplanes crashed in a remote marsh between Raceland and Houma, about two miles north of Highway 182, killing both people on board, Fox 8 Live and News Day reported. 

Due to the marshy terrain, much of the plane was underwater, and officials had to make their way to the wreckage by airboat. There were no signs of life when they reached at around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to the outlets.

Authorities have since identified the victims as Lyle Panepinto, owner of Southern Seaplanes, and Lauren Menkemeller, who is believed to have been training as a pilot for the company, per Fox 8 Live.

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Panepinto has been described as a "cornerstone of the aviation community," while Menkemeller had started to make a positive impression despite being early on in her career, local news outlet WWLTV reported.

Speaking of Menkemeller, fellow pilot Steven Pettit said: "Loved her job and told me she pretty much moved here for that job. I mean, that was her quote, dream job. Lauren was young but a magnificent pilot. 

"We flew my plane together, and she actually landed my plane better than I land it," he continued, per WWLTV. "She was a good young pilot and absolutely loved it."

PEOPLE has reached out to Southern Seaplanes for comment. 

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The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, according to News Day and local news outlet WGNO-TV .

Parish President Archie Chaisson told Fox 8 Live that Panepinto and Menkemeller had flown out of Belle Chasse in the direction of Houma airport. He added that the sheriff's office personnel and a private helicopter discovered the wreckage. 

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Chaisson said windy conditions and swampy terrain limits access to the crash site.

"We know from experience we'll need some marsh buggies, excavators, pontoon boats, to recover whatever NTSB wants - the black box and the two souls on board," he told Fox 8 Live. 

PEOPLE has reached out to the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration for comment.

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