CLEARWATER, Fla. – A small plane crash in a Florida mobile home park has claimed the lives of three individuals, according to the Clearwater Police Department. The incident resulted in several units catching fire, causing widespread devastation in the area. An FAA report confirmed that one crew member on the plane, as well as two individuals on the ground, were tragically killed in the crash.
The tragedy unfolded when emergency crews were dispatched to the Bayside Waters community just after 7 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported that the pilot issued a distress signal to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport before the plane disappeared from radar, approximately 3 miles north of a runway. Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers stated that the airport is around 7 miles southeast of Clearwater.
The single-piston Beechcraft 35 Bonanza departed from Vero Beach Regional Airport and was scheduled to land at the small Clearwater Air Park. Flight data from FlightAware revealed that the plane took off at approximately 6:08 p.m., shortly before the devastating crash.
One resident, a 72-year-old Florida man, recounted the harrowing experience of being thrown to the floor of his mobile home amidst the chaos and destruction caused by the plane crash. He narrowly survived the impact, finding himself covered in insulation and broken glass.
The aftermath of the crash has left the community in shock, and investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy. The impact of the incident has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the residents of the mobile home park and the wider Clearwater area. This devastating event serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers that can arise from aviation accidents, prompting authorities and aviation experts to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.