Three dead, one injured in fiery Boca Raton plane crash, Florida

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Apr 2025 07:49

The Cessna 310 was reportedly en route to Tallahassee International Airport when it went down shortly after takeoff.

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Emergency personnel respond to the area where a small plane crashed on the railroad tracks beneath the overpass near Interstate 95 in Boca Raton, Fla., on Friday, April 11, 2025 (AP)

A small aircraft crashed onto the Tri-Rail tracks near I-95 in Boca Raton Friday morning, killing three people and injuring another, according to officials.

The Cessna 310, which took off from Boca Raton Airport around 10:20 am, was en route to Tallahassee International Airport when it went down shortly after takeoff, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported.

Assistant Fire Chief Michael LaSalle of the Boca Raton Fire Department confirmed that all three individuals on board were killed. One person on the ground was also injured — reportedly after driving through the fireball — and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into what caused the crash.

In a statement, Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer offered condolences and praised the emergency response teams. “Our hearts are heavy today with this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and all affected. As every day, we are grateful for the swift action of our Boca Raton Fire Rescue Department and Boca Raton Police Department,” he said.

“We are grateful for their continued work and our partnerships with other public safety agencies who have also responded. Our community is caring, strong, and resilient, and we will be there to help all affected.”

Major disruptions on roads, railways

Boca Raton Police said on X that North Military Trail between Northwest 19th Street and Butts Road remains closed due to the crash.

“We expect the road closures to remain into the foreseeable future,” police said.

Nearby, the I-95 overpass at Glades Road was temporarily shut down in both directions. Authorities are urging drivers to steer clear of the area.

Tri-Rail service has also been suspended. A bus bridge is being arranged between Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton stations for commuters. Amtrak, which shares the same railway corridor, has canceled multiple routes due to local restrictions. These include Train 41 between Tampa and Miami, Train 40 from Miami, and Train 97 between Orlando and Miami.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the rail service said in a statement.

Aerial footage from Chopper 4 revealed wreckage scattered across the tracks and fire retardant sprayed across the scene. Emergency crews surrounded the area. A scorched vehicle was also spotted nearby, potentially the one referenced by LaSalle earlier in the day.

Former US Air Force combat pilot and aviation expert Willard Shepard told CBS News Miami that witnesses observed the plane attempting to return to the airport after appearing to experience trouble.

“Obviously, something very catastrophic happened and the plane went down out there [Friday],” Shepard said.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the plane stayed near the airport and appeared to circle before crashing. Shepard noted that the left turns in the flight path may suggest the pilot was dealing with a flight control issue.

“When he's making those left turns, it indicates that there was potentially some issue, flight control issue that he was trying to deal with,” he explained, “and ultimately, whatever that flight control issue was, it caused the aircraft to go down and him to lose control of the aircraft to no longer keep it airborne.”

Eyewitnesses describe moment of impact

Jared Scarpato, a student pilot who was monitoring the plane via radio, recounted watching its final moments.

“I say out loud that, 'you know, he's way too low,' and it's incredibly unfortunate,” Scarpato said. “He was coming in, trying to land again, and he was just too low. Couldn't make it — absolutely devastating.”

Another witness, Dillon Smith, was in his corporate office speaking with a client when he noticed the aircraft descending alarmingly low.

“I just saw it come down and basically just drop below the tree line,” he said. Moments later, “The windows shook and then you saw basically a mushroom cloud of smoke and fire.”

Smith immediately suspected trouble. “You could tell that something was either up or it just wasn't right,” he added, fearing the plane might crash into his building.

Other witnesses described the impact as powerful enough to shake nearby buildings, comparing the sensation to an earthquake.

Wider context

A troubling pair of aviation incidents unfolded on Thursday, underscoring growing concerns about air safety in the United States.

At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — a critical hub just miles from the US Capitol and frequently used by federal lawmakers — two American Airlines regional jets made contact while taxiing on the ground. The minor collision did not occur during takeoff or landing, but it nevertheless sparked alarm given the airport’s high-profile status and dense traffic.

That same day, tragedy struck in New York as a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing six people, including three children. The accident triggered a large-scale emergency response and a harrowing water rescue effort, authorities confirmed.

These incidents are part of a worrisome trend: a noticeable rise in aviation mishaps across the country, particularly involving small aircraft. The string of accidents in recent months is prompting renewed scrutiny over aviation protocols and the effectiveness of current safety oversight.

As investigators work to determine the cause of the latest crash, the increase in such incidents underscores the need for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations to prevent further tragedies.