The FAA and NTSB are investigating a small plane crash near Boca Raton, Florida, that occurred Friday morning, killing all three people on board a twin-engine Cessna 310. A nearby driver was also injured after veering into a tree due to debris and fire from the crash but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The plane, which took off for Tallahassee at 10 a.m., reportedly experienced mechanical issues and crashed shortly after 10:20 a.m., causing a fireball visible to witnesses. Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer expressed condolences to those affected by the tragic event as investigations unfold.
CNN
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The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are set to investigate a small aircraft that crashed on a busy street, resulting in a large fireball just outside Boca Raton, Florida’s airport on Friday morning.
According to Michael LaSalle, assistant fire chief with Boca Raton Fire Rescue, three individuals on board the twin-engine Cessna 310 lost their lives in the incident.
A man driving nearby sustained injuries after colliding with a tree due to debris and flames from the crash. His injuries were not life-threatening, and he was transported to a local hospital, LaSalle reported.
“We are incredibly saddened to confirm that a plane crash took place earlier today in our community,” stated Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. “Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragic event. We request patience and respect for the families involved as investigations proceed.”
The aircraft departed from Boca Raton at approximately 10 a.m., destined for Tallahassee, according to officials. Emergency dispatch received a report of the plane experiencing difficulties at 10:12 a.m., and the craft went down at 10:20 a.m., as per LaSalle and the FAA. The assistant fire chief indicated that the aircraft seemed to have encountered “some mechanical issues.”
Data retrieved from FlightRadar24 indicates that the aircraft made several loops around the airport prior to the crash.
“I heard it zoom past a couple of times and then, whoosh – a plane went down,” one witness recounted in a video shared on social media.
“The entire building shook,” another eyewitness noted.
CNN’s David Goodman contributed to this report.
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly stated the time of departure from Boca Raton airport. The plane took off at 10 a.m.