Three people have died following a small plane crash Friday morning near the Boca Raton Airport. A fourth person, who was on the ground at the time, was injured but is expected to recover.
The crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. ET, shortly after the Cessna 310 aircraft took off from Boca Raton Airport en route to Tallahassee International Airport. According to officials, the pilot reported problems with the plane’s rudder just before the aircraft went down.
The crash site was near the intersection of Military Trail and Glades Road. Witnesses described seeing the plane flying unusually low and circling in the sky before it crashed and burst into flames.
Michael LaSalle, Assistant Chief of Boca Raton Fire Rescue, said the person injured on the ground was likely caught in the aftermath of the explosion. “It appears they drove through the fireball and then struck a tree,” LaSalle explained at a press conference.
Video from the scene showed wreckage spread across the road and nearby train tracks. NBC South Florida reported that what appeared to be two bodies were visible among the debris, along with a severely damaged vehicle.
Police quickly closed the surrounding roads and warned residents to avoid the area. The Boca Raton Airport also temporarily shut down in the aftermath of the crash.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation to determine what caused the fatal crash.
Mayor Scott Singer expressed condolences to the victims and their families. “On behalf of the city, we express our heartbreak at this tragic loss of life,” he said.
Authorities have not yet released the names of those on board. More details are expected as investigators examine flight data and interview witnesses.
The tragic crash has shaken the Boca Raton community and raised fresh concerns about safety around busy municipal airports.
