In a saddening development, a small aircraft on Friday April 11, 2025, crashed near a major highway in South Florida, killing three and injuring one, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
The Cessna 310 plane exploded into a fireball after it crashed close to Interstate 95 in Boca Raton.
The FAA said the plane had three people on board, all of whom died on the spot.
Officials said the plane took off from Boca Raton Airport and was heading to Tallahassee before it went down.
Boca Raton Fire Rescue Assistant Chief, Michael LaSalle, said the aircraft caused panic as it burst into flames on impact.
He revealed that the explosion pushed a nearby vehicle onto railroad tracks, injuring the occupant inside.
The fire forced authorities to close surrounding roads and the railroad for safety.
Eyewitnesses told reporters they heard a loud explosion followed by a massive fireball rising into the sky.
Josh Orsino, 31, said he sat in traffic near an overpass when the explosion shook his vehicle.
“We were just sitting there when flames shot out and palm trees caught fire,” Orsino recounted.
He said motorists started honking and fleeing the area, fearing the overpass could collapse.
“My first instinct was to get off that bridge,” Orsino said. “I thought the fire would reach our cars.”
Miguel Coka, 51, said he and his colleagues felt the building shake during the crash.
Coka, who works near the airport, said they rushed outside and saw thick smoke from the site.
“There was a rumble. Everyone panicked,” he said. “We recorded the fire from our balcony.”
Boca Raton Mayor, Scott Singer, confirmed the crash and said investigations had commenced.
Singer urged residents to stay calm and allow emergency responders to work without obstruction.
“Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragic incident,” the mayor said in a statement.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have begun investigating the cause of the crash.
The NTSB is leading the probe and is expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days.
The crash came barely 24 hours after a helicopter crash in New York claimed six lives.
