A light aircraft carrying three individuals experienced a catastrophic failure Friday morning near Boca Raton, Florida, impacting an area close to Interstate 95. The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 AM local time, prompting road closures and significant emergency response efforts.
According to authorities in Boca Raton, the crash triggered a chain of events that included pushing a vehicle onto nearby railroad tracks, necessitating their temporary shutdown. The condition of the car’s occupants remains unknown.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the aircraft as a Cessna 310, which was departing from Boca Raton Airport en route to Tallahassee when it went down. While details surrounding potential fatalities are still unclear, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the cause of the accident.
Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of the event. Josh Orsino, 31, recounted being stopped at a traffic light when he heard an explosion followed by a massive fireball.
“We’re just sitting there, and I see the palm trees start catching on fire,” Orsino stated. “I thought it was an oil rig or a car crash type thing.”
He described a scene of chaos as people frantically attempted to leave the overpass, unsure if it would collapse.
“So I didn’t know if the fire was going to come towards the vehicles…my first instinct was like, I got to get off this bridge. I’m getting out of here,” he explained.
Miguel Coka, 51, who works near the airport, noted that while low-flying aircraft are common, something felt amiss prior to the crash.
“There was a rumble and everyone in the building felt it. We are all shocked,” said Coka. He captured footage of the smoke and flames from his office balcony.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer expressed sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the ongoing investigation.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a plane crash occurred earlier today within our community. At this time, details are still emerging, and we are working closely with emergency responders and authorities,” Singer stated in an official statement. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event. We ask for patience and respect for the families involved as investigations continue.”
This latest aviation incident follows a similar tragedy on Thursday when a New York City sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of its pilot and five Spanish tourists.
- Aircraft: Cessna 310
- Location: Near Boca Raton Airport, South Florida
- Destination: Tallahassee
- Agencies Involved: FAA, NTSB
