Details Sketchy On Incident At Jumbolair

Speeding down the runway at a private Florida airport community had tragic consequences for the five people inside a BMW, after the car ran off an embankment and flew 200 feet before impacting a tree.

The accident occurred early Saturday at Greystone Airport/Jumbolair Aviation Estates (FL17) near Ocala, reports to The Associated Press. All five men inside the car were killed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

It was not immediately known whether the 2008 BMW may have been racing a second automobile on the exclusive community's 7,550' runway (shown above). Residents say the vehicle may have gained access to the runway through an unlocked back gate.

The automobile apparently ran off the 85-foot-high embankment at the end of the runway. The car split in two when it hit the tree, ejecting three of the occupants.

"Portions of the vehicle were actually embedded into the oak tree," FHP Lieutenant Mike Burroughs told The Orlando Sentinel. "They were airborne the entire time.

"It's too early in the investigation to determine a speed and also to determine whether seat belts were in use at the time of the crash," Burroughs said, adding "There was no visible signs" that alcohol was involved.

The FHP identified the victims Sunday as driver Joshua D. Ammirato, 18;  James Devon Hime, 19; Isaac Rubin, 20; Jacob J. Casey, 19; and Dustin J. Dawe, who had just celebrated his 19th birthday on Friday.

Jumbolair is arguably best-known for one of its residents, actor John Travolta, who also keeps his private Boeing 707 at the airport.

FMI: www.jumbolair.com