The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner confirmed Tuesday that human remains recovered from debris at the bottom of Lake Erie are that of a male. More than 170 pieces of debris from the Cessna Jet that crashed over Lake Erie late last month have been recovered.
Officials were able to identify the remains through DNA, but for now, it is unclear who the remains belong to.
John T. Fleming, CEO of Columbus-based Superior Beverage Group, was piloting the plane. His wife, Suzanne, and their two sons, Jack and Andrew, and neighbors Megan and Brian Casey, were also aboard the aircraft.
So far more than 170 pieces of debris including pieces of the aircraft, clothing, have been recovered @WEWS
— James Gherardi (@JamesGherardi) January 10, 2017
Memorial services for all six passengers were held over the weekend.
During a press conference Tuesday, Burke Lakefront Airport Commissioner Khalid Bahhur said the area where crews are searching is about the size of a football field. There are locations within the area where divers are concentrating their efforts, he said.
Divers were able to find a portion of the fuselage, personal clothing, a front wheel, several seats, and an engine during their search Monday, Bahhur said during a press conference.
At 20 feet long, a portion of the plane's fuselage is the largest discover from the plane thus far, he said. The debris is being held in a hangar at the Burke Lakefront Airport.
Diver shows equipment, suit, necessary to dive to the bottom of Lake Erie in frigid water temps @WEWS pic.twitter.com/OfNCtG52Fd
— James Gherardi (@JamesGherardi) January 10, 2017
Friday was the first day crews progressed on their search for the missing Cessna 525, when they found the cockpit voice recorder and a large portion of the plane's tail. Their success in recovering bits and pieces of the plane continued Monday, but bad weather would force crews ashore Tuesday.
Crews are expected to start searching again Wednesday. There is no estimate yet, according to airport officials, on how long it will take to recover the entire plane.
Bahhur said it appears the plane broke apart during the crash.
The plane's debris was thought to be about 50 feet deep in the lake, officials have said.
