The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are launching a comprehensive investigation into a tragic plane crash that occurred along a busy street just outside the Boca Raton, Florida airport on Friday morning. The incident involved a small twin-engine Cessna 310 that crashed and erupted into a fireball, resulting in the loss of three lives on board.
According to Michael LaSalle, the assistant fire chief with Boca Raton Fire Rescue, the three individuals aboard the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene. In addition to those fatalities, a nearby motorist sustained injuries after colliding with a tree while attempting to evade the debris and flames from the crash site. Fortunately, the driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment, LaSalle reported.
The mayor of Boca Raton, Scott Singer, expressed deep sorrow over the incident in an official statement. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a plane crash occurred earlier today within our community,” he remarked. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event. We ask for patience and respect for the families involved as investigations continue.”
The ill-fated Cessna 310 took off from Boca Raton around 10 a.m., with its destination set for Tallahassee. Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 10:12 a.m., Boca Raton fire and police dispatch received an emergency call regarding an aircraft in distress. Tragically, the plane crashed at 10:20 a.m., merely eight minutes after its departure, according to LaSalle and FAA reports.
Initial assessments suggest that the aircraft may have experienced “some mechanical issues” prior to the crash. Data obtained from FlightRadar24 indicates that the plane made several loops around the airport before the fatal incident occurred. Eyewitness accounts further illustrate the chaotic scene; one witness described hearing the aircraft zoom by multiple times, followed by the devastating crash. “The whole building shook,” another bystander recounted in a video shared on social media.
As the investigation unfolds, the FAA and NTSB will work diligently to determine the precise cause of the crash and assess any potential regulatory implications. The community remains in shock as they process this tragic event, and updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the time when the plane departed the Boca Raton airport. It took off at 10 a.m.
