CLEARWATER, Fla. — A tragic plane crash occurred in Clearwater as a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35 departed from Vero Beach Regional Airport and hit a mobile home park, resulting in the deaths of one crewmember and two individuals inside the mobile home. The Federal Aviation Administration has released a preliminary report of the incident, but the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.
The Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department (CFRD) received reports of the small plane crash at the Bayside Waters community just south of Clearwater Mall. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the plane engulfed in flames and the surrounding area left in charred debris. The crash caused significant damage to multiple homes, with three sustaining fire damage and a fourth potentially affected.
According to FlightAware, the plane took off from Vero Beach Regional Airport and was scheduled to land at Clearwater Air Park an hour later. Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers confirmed that there were multiple fatalities from both the aircraft and the mobile homes. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the pilot of the plane had reported an engine failure around 7 p.m., although the exact number of people onboard the plane was still unknown at the time.
The investigation into the crash is being carried out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the importance of comprehensive safety measures.