A tragic small aircraft crash in Boca Raton, Florida, claimed the lives of all three people onboard and left one motorist injured on the ground after the plane plummeted onto a busy road and exploded into flames.
The crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. on Friday, April 11, shortly after the Cessna 310R departed from Boca Raton Airport. The six-seater twin-engine aircraft was en route to Tallahassee International Airport when the pilot reported experiencing mechanical failure—specifically issues with the rudder—roughly 20 minutes into the flight.
Eyewitnesses described the plane flying alarmingly low before it slammed into the ground near North Military Trail and Butts Road. The impact caused an immediate explosion that sent flames and debris scattering across the roadway and nearby train tracks.
A driver traveling on the road at the time suffered non-life-threatening injuries when their vehicle passed through the fiery wreckage. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, extinguishing the flames and securing the crash site. Authorities confirmed that the three individuals onboard the plane did not survive. Their names have not yet been released pending family notifications.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims’ families and praising first responders for their swift actions. “This is a heartbreaking day for our community. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, and we are grateful for the rapid response from our emergency services,” he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a full report detailing the cause of the crash may take up to two years to complete.
The aircraft’s flight path, maintenance history, and voice and data recordings from onboard instruments will all be analyzed as part of the investigation. Early reports indicate that the pilot attempted to return to the airport after reporting the rudder malfunction, but the aircraft lost control before it could reach the runway.
This incident adds to a string of recent aviation accidents across the U.S., raising ongoing questions about the safety of small aircraft operations and the reliability of aging aircraft systems. The Cessna 310R, while widely used, is decades old in design and is among many older planes still in service today.
JUST IN: A plane has crashed in Boca Raton, Florida resulting in three de*ths, according to local news reports.
The plane was approaching Boca Raton Airport with “mechanical issues,” according to Boca News Now.
Fire rescue was reportedly on “alert” as the plane was nearing the… pic.twitter.com/ST3oGmOsgv
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 11, 2025
Local residents and business owners near the crash site expressed shock and sadness, with several describing how close the disaster came to causing an even larger tragedy. “If it had gone down just a few feet to the side, it could have hit an apartment complex or a shopping plaza,” one witness said.
As investigators continue to gather facts, the community of Boca Raton mourns the lives lost in a crash that turned an ordinary Friday morning into a day of devastation. Further updates are expected as federal agencies work to uncover what went wrong and how similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.