UPDATE: The downed aircraft was recovered from the Red River around 11:20 p.m. Saturday night after an all-day recovery effort by numerous crews and first responders.

The pilot and passenger were also recovered at the scene.

The two Shreveport men killed when their private plane crashed in the Red River Thursday, February 28, 2019, have been identified as 61-year-old Richard C. Lennard.  Police say he piloted the aircraft.

The passenger, 56-year-old Michael S. Hollis, was also recovered from the wreckage and was identified by Caddo Parish Coroner Dr. Todd G. Thomas.

Both were taken to Ochsner LSU Health hospital for autopsies.

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) – The FAA says a small plane heading from Louisiana to Texas crashed into the river between the states, and initial reports indicate two people were on board.

Regional spokesman Lynn Lunsford said in an email that preliminary information indicates the single-engine Piper Malibu crashed in the Red River shortly after takeoff Thursday from Shreveport Downtown Airport.

He says the plane was headed to Wilbarger County Airport near Vernon, Texas.

Bossier Parish sheriff’s spokesman Bill Davis says sonar has located what appears to be a plane in about 17 feet of fast-moving water not far from the airport runway.

He says it probably won’t be brought up from the Red River until Saturday, and he cannot say until then whether it’s the missing plane.