Tennessean among those killed in USVI plane crash

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands — U.S. Virgin Islands police have identified the people killed in a small plane crash last week as a man from Tennessee and two residents of the Caribbean territory.

Authorities said Tuesday that 50-year-old Mark Atchley of Tennessee was identified from steel pins used during surgery on a knee. Police spokeswoman Melody Rames said she did not have his hometown.

Rames said jewelry helped identify the other victims as Elium King of St. Vincent and David Bentley of St. Croix. Both were 58.

The single-engine Cessna 177 was en route to St. Thomas when it crashed Thursday into a field and burst into flames. Federal officials said the pilot reported problems after takeoff and tried to return to the airport.

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Nov 03, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. EDT

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