CHARLESTON, SC — A collision between a small plane and an F-16 fighter jet that killed a South Carolina father and son was the second fatal tragedy to strike their family in just four days, a relative told The Associated Press.

Authorities found the body of 68-year-old Michael Johnson, the passenger, in the Cooper River in a rural, sparsely populated area in South Carolina, Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury said. They are still searching the same area for the body of his son, 30-year-old Joseph Johnson, who was piloting the Cessna 150 when it was torn apart by its crash with the jet Tuesday.CLICK HERE for more photos

Joseph Johnson, who attended college in Louisburg NC and was selected as a pitcher in 2006 by the Atlanta Braves, was piloting the plane. Tuesday night his uncle told WCBD that Joe Johnson was hoping to become a commercial pilot. The uncle says the two were flying to Myrtle Beach, and then cross-country, to log the training hours Joe needed.

Michael Johnson’s wife, Lisa Turchin Johnson, also posted on Facebook last night, saying “My beautiful, big-hearted son and his awesome father died today in a plane crash… please keep me in your prayers.”

On Saturday, James Johnson – who his sister referred to as “Jim” – and his wife, Beverly – Michael Johnson’s brother and sister-in-law – were found dead at their home in Missouri, said Connie Stallworth, the men’s sister. The couple’s 16-year-old grandson has been charged with second-degree murder in their slayings, police said.

“It’s unbelievable. There just aren’t words to express it. I’m dumbfounded that it happened twice in a few days,” Stallworth said.

Joe Johnson, who was also appeared in Cosmo magazine at least once, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He played on a least three of the Braves’ minor league teams,according to Baseball Reference. He also played baseball at Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C.

James and Beverly Johnson lived in a neighborhood made up of manicured homes with large yards surrounded by farm fields just outside St. Joseph. The Johnson home is located at the end of a dead-end road and protected by a steel gate. The front of the large acreage had a “No Trespassing” sign as well as a sign with a phone number to call in order to enter the property.

Kelley Steele, who lives nearby, said the couple lived there with their grandson but kept to themselves.

NTSB investigator Dennis Diaz told reporters Wednesday that his first goal is to document the two crash sites, which are about 10 miles apart. He also said the F-16 pilot, who ejected safely, will be interviewed. However, that may not happen for several days.

Investigators will look at flight data recorders and interview witnesses, though that is expected to take months, Diaz said. He would not comment on the direction, speed or altitude at which either aircraft was traveling.CLICK HERE for more photos

The jet’s pilot, Maj. Aaron Johnson from the 55th Fighter Squadron, was taken to Joint Base Charleston’s medical clinic for observation, officials from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter said in a news release.

The jet crashed into woods around the privately owned Lewisfield Plantation, an estate dating to 1750.

“We heard the plane crash,” said Leo Ramsey, who has worked at the plantation for about 30 years. “And then we took off from where I was at, I guess I was about a half-mile from it, when we saw a cloud of smoke.”

Ramsey and two other workers found burning metal, splintered trees and a flaming crater where the jet had crash-landed, he said.

Col. Stephen Jost, commander of the 20th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, said Maj. Johnson was flying solo, practicing instrument approaches to a military base and was communicating with Charleston air traffic controllers.

Jost said he thought it was overcast at the time of the collision, but he was not aware of any weather-related problems.

It wasn’t clear if a flight plan had been filed, but Berkeley County officials say the civilian pilot had indicated he was traveling to Myrtle Beach.

F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, about 35 miles east of Columbia, routinely fly training missions over eastern South Carolina and the Atlantic.

The Cessna 150 is a two-seat plane that typically weighs about 1,500 pounds when fully fueled. By comparison, an F-16 is about 50 feet long and weighs nearly 10 tons, not counting fuel or weapons. Jost said the F-16 was not carrying any live munitions at the time of the collision.

Jones reported from Columbia. Associated Press writer Margaret Stafford contributed to this report from St. Joseph, Missouri.