A tragic plane crash in Boca Raton, Florida, on Friday morning resulted in the deaths of all three people on board. According to local officials and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the small aircraft, a Cessna 310R, crashed after experiencing mechanical issues. The crash occurred near Military Trail, with debris and a fire affecting a car on the ground.
The Incident
The Cessna 310R, which took off from Boca Raton Airport at 10:15 a.m., was en route to Tallahassee International Airport. After being airborne for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, the aircraft came down.
Michael LaSalle, assistant fire chief for Boca Fire Rescue, shared details at a press conference, confirming that a car was struck during the crash. A man in the car sustained non-life-threatening injuries after hitting a tree due to the crash’s impact and debris.
Eyewitness Account
Dillon Smith, who was at his office at the time, reported seeing the plane flying unusually low. He described the plane as appearing to head toward a building before making a turn. “I saw it drop below the trees, and then I heard a boom,” Smith said. He also mentioned that the crash caused his office windows to shake, and he saw a fireball following the explosion.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash. Kurt Gibson, an NTSB aviation accident investigator, stated that the wreckage would be transported to an NTSB facility for further examination. Video footage and witness statements are being collected as part of the investigation, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.
Impact and Community Response
In the aftermath of the crash, video footage shows the wreckage of the plane on railroad tracks near a road. Thankfully, the fire caused by the crash has been extinguished. Mayor Scott Singer of Boca Raton expressed condolences for the victims and their families, offering his thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this tragic event.
This crash serves as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in aviation and the importance of thorough investigations to understand what led to such a devastating accident.