BOCA RATON, Fla. — A tragic accident occurred Tuesday morning in Boca Raton when a small twin-engine Cessna 310 aircraft, en route to Tallahassee, crashed along Military Trail shortly after taking off from Boca Raton Airport at 10:12 a.m. The crash resulted in the deaths of three passengers and left another individual on the ground injured.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was attempting to return to the airport after experiencing mechanical issues. A witness near the scene described hearing a loud noise followed by the shaking of nearby buildings, which was then quickly followed by the sight of smoke billowing into the air.
As the aircraft descended, it impacted train tracks west of Interstate 95, close to the Town Center Mall, sparking a substantial fire. Assistant Fire Chief Michael LaSalle of Boca Raton Fire Rescue said that emergency units promptly responded to reports of an aircraft in distress, arriving to find the wreckage and ensuing blaze on Military Trail.
A spokesperson for Boca Raton Fire Rescue reported that the fire did not result in any vehicular damage, although debris and flames spread across the road. The injured individual, a motorist, drove through a fireball created by the crash and subsequently crashed into a nearby tree, sustaining non-life threatening injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken charge of the investigation to determine the specific cause of the mechanical failure. In the meantime, local authorities refrained from releasing the identities or ages of the victims pending notification of their families.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer expressed his sorrow over the incident, extending his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected by this unfortunate event.
Eyewitness accounts have further detailed the moments leading up to the crash. Lynn University student Jared Scarpato noted that the plane had been circling the airport with visible difficulty in controlling its direction due to a reported rudder issue, struggling to make a safe landing.
The aftermath of the crash has had considerable impact on local traffic and infrastructure. The Boca Raton Police Department announced that North Military Trail would be closed from Northwest 19th Street to Butts Road and expected to remain so overnight. Although the I-95 overpass at Glades Road was temporarily closed, it has since reopened.
Affected train services below the crash site are set to continue with some adjustments, utilizing buses to connect passengers to the nearest stations as informed by the Tri-Rail Public Information Officer. Motorists and commuters have been advised to expect delays and to seek alternative routes where possible.
In a statement, Boca Raton Community High School reassured families and staff of everyone’s safety on campus but cautioned that the increased number of emergency responders and road closures could lead to heightened congestion and delays in district-run transportation services.
This incident highlights the potential dangers of mechanical failures in aviation and underscores the importance of stringent maintenance and safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.