A devastating small aircraft crash unfolded in South Florida on Friday morning, killing all three people aboard and injuring a motorist after the plane collided with a vehicle near a major highway. The fiery crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Boca Raton Airport, prompting a swift response from federal investigators and emergency crews.
The crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. local time, just minutes after the Cessna 310 aircraft departed from Boca Raton Airport en route to Tallahassee, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft went down near Interstate 95, one of the region’s busiest highways, causing a massive fireball on impact.
Boca Raton Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael LaSalle confirmed the fatalities of all three individuals on board. One person in a nearby vehicle was also injured by the intense blast and flying debris. The injured victim was transported to a local hospital. Their condition has not yet been released.
“It was a violent impact, followed by a fireball that engulfed the crash area,” LaSalle told reporters. “The fire was intense enough to ignite nearby palm trees and severely damage nearby infrastructure.”
According to local fire officials, the impact of the plane’s crash was so forceful that it shoved a vehicle onto nearby railroad tracks, leading to a temporary shutdown of the train lines in the area. Emergency personnel were dispatched to secure the scene, contain fires, and investigate the extent of damage to both roadways and rail systems.
Multiple roads around the Boca Raton Airport remained closed as authorities worked to clear debris and investigate the cause of the crash.
Several local residents and commuters witnessed the fiery scene and described it as chaotic and terrifying.
Josh Orsino, 31, said he was sitting at a red light on an overpass near the crash site when he heard a deafening explosion. “We were just sitting there when suddenly a huge fireball erupted. Palm trees were catching fire,” Orsino recalled. “It felt like something from a movie—my first thought was to get off that bridge fast. I didn’t know if the structure was going to collapse.”
Another witness, Miguel Coka, 51, who works in a building near Boca Raton Airport, said he and his coworkers felt a rumble moments before seeing thick smoke. “There was a loud rumble and the whole building shook,” Coka said. “We stepped outside and saw flames and smoke. Everyone here is still in shock.”
Coka managed to record the aftermath from his office balcony, capturing video footage of the smoke plumes rising from the crash site.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming the beginning of an extensive investigation into the incident.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a plane crash occurred earlier today within our community,” said Singer. “At this time, details are still emerging, and we are working closely with emergency responders and authorities. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are jointly investigating the crash. The NTSB, which is leading the investigation, arrived at the scene Friday afternoon and began collecting evidence, photographing the wreckage, and interviewing witnesses.
According to NTSB officials, the remains of the Cessna 310 will be transported to a salvage facility in Jacksonville for further forensic and mechanical analysis. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a final report and determination of probable cause anticipated within 12 to 24 months.
The incident comes just one day after another fatal aviation accident in New York, where a sightseeing helicopter broke apart in mid-air and plunged into the Hudson River, killing six people including the pilot and five Spanish tourists.
While air travel remains statistically the safest mode of transportation, recent mid-air collisions and runway incidents have drawn increased attention to aviation safety protocols across the United States.
In January, a mid-air collision near Washington claimed the lives of 67 people. February saw a minor crash on a taxiway in Seattle, and in March, a fire aboard an American Airlines flight after landing in Denver led to 12 injuries.
Friday’s tragic plane crash in Boca Raton is now part of a growing list of recent aviation accidents that have shaken public confidence, despite assurances from federal agencies. As investigators sift through the wreckage and data to determine what went wrong, families of the victims and the broader community await answers and accountability.
