Clearwater, Florida – A tragic incident occurred in Clearwater, Florida, as a small plane crashed into a mobile home park, claiming the lives of three individuals. The Clearwater Police Department confirmed the deaths and reported that the crash resulted in fires that engulfed several units in the mobile home park.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that one crew member on the plane and two individuals on the ground lost their lives in the crash. The incident prompted emergency response teams to be dispatched to the Bayside Waters community shortly after 7 p.m.
According to Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers, the pilot issued a distress call to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport before the plane disappeared from radar, approximately 3 miles north of a runway. The airport, located about 7 miles southeast of Clearwater, was the plane’s intended destination.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing experience, with a 72-year-old Florida resident narrowly escaping the crash after being thrown to the floor by the impact. The small plane, identified as a single-piston Beechcraft 35 Bonanza, had departed from Vero Beach Regional Airport and was scheduled to land at the Clearwater Air Park.
The devastating event left the community in shock as they mourned the loss of the three individuals and grappled with the destruction caused by the crash and subsequent fires. Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway as authorities work to understand the circumstances leading to this tragic incident.
As the community comes together to support each other during this difficult time, the impact of the small plane crash serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with air travel and the profound consequences it can have on the lives of those affected.