Authorities on Saturday identified the three victims killed when their small plane crashed into a house and burst into flames after trying to land at a central Florida airport.

The 1957 Beechcraft H35 Bonanza was heading from Fort Pierce to Knoxville, Tenn., when it experienced mechanical problems and crashed Friday.

Florida Highway Patrol officials said the victims were 57-year-old pilot Michael Anders of Albany, Ky.; 59-year-old Duane Shaw of Albany, Ky.; and 42-year-old Charissee Peoples of Indianapolis.

Anders told air-traffic controllers that the plane was smoking, vibrating and had oil pressure problems minutes before crashing into a Palm Coast home. The plane was also entering bad weather.

"I need some help here," Anders said. He seemed calm in his conversation with controllers, telling them he had "three souls on board", according to transcripts released Sunday.

Anders (pictured right) was a teacher at Clinton County School District in Kentucky.  Friday was his birthday.

The district released the following statement:

"The Clinton County School District is very saddened by the loss of teacher Mr. Michael Anders. Mr. Anders was the Spanish teacher at Clinton County High School. He will be deeply missed by staff and students."

Controllers were trying to use a surveillance approach to guide him into the Flagler County Airport.

He warned the plane was going to drop quickly. Moments later, the plane apparently nose-dived into a house, setting off a fireball of flames.

Homeowner Susan Crockett was already outside when rescuers arrived, screaming that a plane had crashed into her house. She was taken to the hospital as a precaution and listed in stable condition.

--Susan Crockett

"I'm getting ready to walk out the door, something said stop, hold," said Crockett. "I stopped. The plane hit the house. Boom."

The crash sent insulation flying in the air, almost like it was snowing, witnesses said.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were on scene Saturday investigating the crash. Board spokesman Eric Weiss said the crash produced an intense heat fire that consumed a lot of the wreckage.

After collecting all the evidence and information they can, investigators planned to send the plane's engine to its manufacturer for closer analysis.